botrytis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical/Specialist
Quick answer
What does “botrytis” mean?
A genus of fungi that cause grey mould rot on plants, especially grapes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A genus of fungi that cause grey mould rot on plants, especially grapes.
The disease caused by Botrytis cinerea, which can be destructive (grey rot) or beneficial (noble rot) in winemaking when it desiccates grapes to concentrate sugars.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both UK and US English, confined to specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “botrytis” in a Sentence
Botrytis + verb (e.g., spreads, develops, affects)Adjective + botrytis (e.g., severe botrytis, beneficial botrytis)Preposition + botrytis (e.g., infection with botrytis, damage from botrytis)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “botrytis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The vineyard was badly botrytised after the wet autumn.
American English
- The grapes botrytised perfectly, allowing for a late harvest.
adjective
British English
- We are hoping for botrytis-affected berries this season.
American English
- The botrytis condition in the cluster was ideal for making ice wine.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in the wine industry regarding crop quality, yield, and the production of dessert wines like Sauternes.
Academic
Used in plant pathology, mycology, and viticulture research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary register; used by winemakers, horticulturists, and plant scientists.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “botrytis”
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈbɒtrɪtɪs/ (BOT-ri-tis).
- Using it as a general term for any plant mould.
- Confusing 'botrytis' (the fungus) with 'noble rot' (the desirable condition it causes under specific conditions).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it causes destructive grey rot in damp conditions, in specific dry, humid conditions (noble rot), it desiccates grapes, concentrating sugars and flavours, which is essential for certain premium sweet wines.
Yes. Botrytis cinerea is a widespread pathogen that affects many soft fruits, vegetables (like strawberries and lettuce), and ornamental plants, causing grey mould.
'Botrytis' refers to the fungus itself (Botrytis cinerea). 'Noble rot' is the name for the beneficial, sugar-concentrating infection caused by this fungus under ideal weather conditions for winemaking.
In British English, it's /bəˈtraɪtɪs/ (buh-TRY-tis). In American English, it's often /boʊˈtraɪtɪs/ (boh-TRY-tis). The stress is always on the second syllable.
A genus of fungi that cause grey mould rot on plants, especially grapes.
Botrytis is usually technical/specialist in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The blessing of botrytis (referring to noble rot in winemaking)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BOTRYtis rots the grapes in the VINEyard' – the 'try' in the middle sounds like the 'tri' in 'trip', which a vine does when infected.
Conceptual Metaphor
A double-edged sword / A necessary evil (can be a destructive pest or a creator of prized sweet wines).
Practice
Quiz
In which industry is the term 'botrytis' most commonly used?