1. a loss of cellular turgidity that causes a plant to droop, usually as a result of water loss or disease 2. a plant disease in which the most conspicuous symptoms are foliage chlorosis and wilting caused by disruption of normal water uptake or conduction —note many wilts are vectored by insects, such as Dutch elm disease, which is caused by Ophiostoma ulmi and vectored by Scolytid beetlesThis definition last updated 08/19/2008