— etiolation , n.
/ee"tee euh layt'/ , v. , etiolated, etiolating .
v.t.
1. to cause (a plant) to whiten or grow pale by excluding light: to etiolate celery.
2. to cause to become weakened or sickly; drain of color or vigor.
v.i.
3. (of plants) to whiten or grow pale through lack of light.
[ 1785-95; étioler to make pale, etiolate (plants), prob. deriv., based on N French dial. forms, of standard F éteule, OF estoble, estuble STUBBLE; see -ATE 1 ]