black disease: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialised, Technical, Historical
Quick answer
What does “black disease” mean?
A condition causing black discolouration, especially in plants or animals.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A condition causing black discolouration, especially in plants or animals; historically used for certain fatal diseases.
Can refer to various specific diseases characterized by darkening of tissues or severe necrotic symptoms (e.g., 'black disease' of fuchsias, 'black disease' in sheep). Figuratively, may denote a severe, insidious problem.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Usage is equally rare and specialised in both varieties.
Connotations
Technical and grave. Implies a serious, often fatal condition in the relevant subject (plant, animal).
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Confined to specialist domains.
Grammar
How to Use “black disease” in a Sentence
The [plant] has black disease.Black disease is caused by [pathogen].To treat black disease in [livestock].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “black disease” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The gardener identified black disease on the fuchsia stems.
- Black disease in sheep is linked to liver fluke infestation.
American English
- The entire crop was lost to black disease.
- Vaccination can prevent black disease in livestock.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in specific agricultural or veterinary research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Primary domain. Refers to specific pathogenic conditions.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “black disease”
- Using it as a general term for any serious illness.
- Confusing it with 'Black Death' (the plague).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Black Death' refers specifically to the historical bubonic plague pandemic, while 'black disease' is a technical term for various animal/plant conditions.
No, it is not standard medical terminology for human diseases. Its use is restricted to botany, agriculture, and veterinary science.
Extremely rare outside of very specific technical contexts. Most native English speakers will never encounter it.
Dark, necrotic (dead) tissue, giving a blackened appearance, often on leaves, stems, or internal organs like the liver.
A condition causing black discolouration, especially in plants or animals.
Black disease is usually specialised, technical, historical in register.
Black disease: in British English it is pronounced /ˌblak dɪˈziːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌblæk dɪˈziːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Rarely idiomatic]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'black mark' of disease on a leaf or liver.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISEASE IS A STAIN / DARKNESS.
Practice
Quiz
In which domain is the term 'black disease' most accurately used?