powdery mildew
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- any of various fungi of the genus Erysiphe producing powdery conidia on the host surface
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onerousadjective
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Mildew \Mil"dew\, n. [AS. melede['a]w; akin to OHG. militou, G. mehlthau, mehltau; prob. orig. meaning, honeydew; cf. Goth. milip honey. See Mellifluous, and Dew.] (Bot.) A growth of minute powdery or webby fungi, whitish or of different colors, found on various diseased or decaying substances. [1913 Webster]
powdery mildew a fungal disease of plants caused by an ascomycete of the order Erysiphales, characterized by a powdery white film on the surface of the affected plants. It is damaging to, e.g., roses and lilacs. Also, a fungus that causes such a disease. [PJC]