etiolate
Weaken through darkness
Etiolate is a botanical term for plants that grow pale and spindly from lack of light—stretched toward a sun they cannot find.
The meaning extends to anything weakened or made pale through deprivation: years of isolation had etiolated his spirit.
An etiolated argument is one drained of vigor, blanched of substance.
Scald briefly, then cool
- chlorosisChlorophyll deficiency in plants
- chlorophyllLight-harvesting plant pigment
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
- seedlingRecently sprouted young plant
sprout · shoot · celery · asparagus · endive · chicory · leek · rhubarb
Lacking color intensity
- pallidUnhealthily lacking color
- wanPale and unwell-looking
- bleachChemical stain and germ killer
- blanchScald briefly, then cool
whiten · fade · colorless · ashen · sallow · washed-out · ghostly · alabaster
Easily broken or damaged
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- frailWeak and breakable
- feebleWeak and ineffective
- weakLacking power or force
spindly · thin · gaunt · emaciated · wasted · haggard · drawn · attenuated
To make weak
- enfeebleMake feeble or frail
- enervateTo drain of strength
- sapPlant circulatory fluid
- witherDry and decay
atrophy · languish · decline · deteriorate · devitalize · exhaust · diminish · impair
Perish from hunger
- malnourishProvide insufficient nutrition
- depriveTo withhold or remove
- denyRefuse to admit
- withholdRefuse to give
lack · deficient · insufficient · wanting · underfed · stunted · impoverished · meager
blanch
Scald briefly, then cool
- chlorosisChlorophyll deficiency in plants
- chlorophyllLight-harvesting plant pigment
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
seedling · sprout · shoot · celery · asparagus · endive · chicory · leek · rhubarb · cultivate
pale
Lacking color intensity
blanch · whiten · fade · colorless · ashen · sallow · washed-out · ghostly · alabaster · chalky
fragile
Easily broken or damaged
weak · spindly · thin · gaunt · emaciated · wasted · haggard · drawn · attenuated · wispy
debilitate
To make weak
wither · atrophy · languish · decline · deteriorate · devitalize · exhaust · diminish · impair · undermine
starve
Perish from hunger
- malnourishProvide insufficient nutrition
- depriveTo withhold or remove
- denyRefuse to admit
withhold · lack · deficient · insufficient · wanting · underfed · stunted · impoverished · meager · scant
etiolateinvigorate
To fill with energy
vitalize · strengthen · fortify · energize · rejuvenate