yellow dragon disease

noun

: citrus greening
Citrus greening originated more than a century ago in China, where it was called huanglongbing, or “yellow dragon disease.” The bacteria that causes the disease clogs the flow of nutrients through the tree, turning the leaves yellow while the fruit remains green, lopsided, bitter and unusable.—Ian Lovett, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2012

Word History

First Known Use

2001, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of yellow dragon disease was in 2001

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Dictionary Entries Near yellow dragon disease

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Cite this Entry

“Yellow dragon disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yellow%20dragon%20disease. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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