Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

cottony rot

noun
Save Word
variants: or less commonly cottony mold

Definition of cottony rot

: a fungal disease of various plants caused by a fungus (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) that produces wilt and rot of the stem and often of other parts

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for cottony rot

so called from the fluffy white masses appearing on the rotted tissue

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about cottony rot

Statistics for cottony rot

Cite this Entry

“Cottony rot.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cottony%20rot. Accessed 9 December 2019.

Comments on cottony rot

What made you want to look up cottony rot? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

oxymoron

Listen to the pronounciation of oxymoron

contradictory or incongruous words

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Semantic Drift Quiz

  • a twisty river
  • Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games