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blotch

(blŏch)

1. A spot or blot; a splotch.

2. A discoloration on the skin; a blemish.

3. Any of several plant diseases caused by fungi or bacteria and resulting in brown or black dead areas on leaves or fruit.

tr. & intr.v. blotched, blotch·ing, blotch·es

To mark or become marked with blotches.

[Probably blend of BLOT¹ and BOTCH.]

blotchi·ly adv.

blotchi·ness n.

blotchy adj.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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