Dutch elm disease

noun

: a disease of elms caused by an ascomycetous fungus (Ceratocystis ulmi) and characterized by yellowing of the foliage, defoliation, and death

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Dutch elm disease

noun

: a disease of elms caused by a fungus carried from one tree to another by bark beetles and marked by yellowing of the foliage, loss of leaves, and death