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Glite Dictionary
leaf cast

leaf cast

9.9
A disease of evergreen trees like pines that makes their needles fall early
  • noun
  • /liːf kæst/
translation icon : caída de agujas
  • The pine tree suffered from leaf cast last autumn.

Examples

  • If left untreated, leaf cast can seriously reduce the vitality of conifer trees.

  • Foresters noted an increase in leaf cast affecting pine plantations this spring.

  • The presence of leaf cast was confirmed by examining the fallen needles under a microscope.

  • Why is my fir tree experiencing leaf cast?

  • Foresters noted an increase in leaf cast affecting pine plantations this spring.

  • If left untreated, leaf cast can seriously reduce the vitality of conifer trees.

  • The presence of leaf cast was confirmed by examining the fallen needles under a microscope.

Synonyms

needle cast
vsleaf cast
  • Specialized
7.9

A disease of pine and spruce trees that makes their needles turn brown and fall early

causes conifer foliage to fall early without noting browning or fungus
needle blight
vsleaf cast
  • Specialized
8.9

A disease that makes the needles of pine or spruce trees fall early

describes the same premature loss but as a different named disease
leaf blight
vsleaf cast
6.8

A plant disease that makes leaves turn brown and fall early

is similar but limited to conifers rather than many plant types
leaf disease
vsleaf cast
3.2

A problem that makes a plant's leaves sick or damaged

is specific to conifers causing premature foliage loss rather than general disease

Surface Forms

leaf cast singular
leaf casts plural

Morphology

leaf + cast

The noun combines 'leaf' with 'cast' (understood as 'to cast off' or 'shed'), so a learner who knows those senses can plausibly infer it involves leaves/needles being shed. However, 'cast' in this sense is somewhat specialized and the expression is a technical disease name, so the precise pathological sense (a specific disease causing premature needle fall) is not fully predictable for a B1 learner without prior exposure.

Etymology

Leaf cast comes from the image of a leaf being cast off, because 'cast' can mean 'to drop' or 'to shed'. That's why the name is used for a disease that makes the needles of evergreen trees like pines fall early.