1. to make pale or weak, especially by depriving of light or air
Usage: often used in botany to describe plants grown without sufficient light
2. to make feeble or enfeebled in character or spirit
Usage: figurative use

Examples

• The seedlings etiolates when kept in a dark closet without sunlight.
• Prolonged confinement etiolates the human spirit.
• The plant etiolates and becomes spindly if it does not receive enough light.
• Years of isolation etiolates his once vibrant personality.
• Lack of fresh air etiolates the complexion over time.
• The gardener noticed the seedlings were beginning to etiolate due to insufficient light exposure.