black spot
1
6.5
- noun
- Specialized
:
mancha negra
- A black spot the size of a child's wading pool proved a perfect target.
- black spot disease
Examples
-
This fungus causes rot on the berries and black spots on the stems and foliage.
Academic text (1994) -
The oil also protects plants against some fungal diseases, including powdery mildew and black spot, says Locke.
Academic text (1997) -
The most common United States form is mustard to red with 16 or more black spots.
Academic text (1995) -
If you are frustrated that your apples look like this with black spots, lumps, it's all misshapen.
-
Quatuordecimpunctata lady beetle sports, as its Latin name "14 points" suggests, 14 black spots in a checkerboard pattern on tan wings.
Academic text (1995) -
The gardener pointed out the black spots on the rose leaves, indicating a black spot disease affecting the plants.
-
After the rain, many of the rose bushes developed black spots on their leaves due to a fungal infection.
-
To prevent black spot disease, the farmer regularly checks the fruit for any signs of black spots.
Synonyms
A plant disease caused by a fungus that makes dark spots on leaves, stems, or fruit
How Harmful
- Specialized
- Specialized
7
7.3
- Specialized
- Specialized
5
3.1
- Specialized
1
6.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The sense can be partly derived from the parts: 'black' carries negative/blemish connotations and 'spot' can mean a place or stain, so a learner could infer a negative place or blemish. However, the exact nuance — e.g. a trouble spot or technical 'accident black spot' — is a metaphorical extension that is not fully predictable without exposure, so it is only partially transparent.
Etymology
The noun _black spot_ comes from the dark marks that appear on leaves when a fungus attacks. These black spots show the plant is sick, so the name means 'a plant disease'.