blight vs plague

blight

noun
  • The bacterium, virus or fungus that causes such a condition. 

  • A rapid and complete chlorosis, browning, then death of plant tissues such as leaves, branches, twigs, or floral organs. 

  • Anything that impedes growth or development or spoils any other aspect of life. 

verb
  • To spoil, ruin, or destroy (something). 

  • To affect with blight; to blast; to prevent the growth and fertility of. 

  • To suffer blight. 

plague

noun
  • The bubonic plague, the pestilent disease caused by the virulent bacterium Yersinia pestis. 

  • A group of common grackles. 

  • A widespread affliction, calamity or destructive influx, especially when seen as divine retribution. 

  • An epidemic or pandemic caused by any pestilence, but specifically by the above disease. 

  • A grave nuisance, whatever greatly irritates. 

verb
  • To harass, pester or annoy someone persistently or incessantly. 

  • To afflict with a disease or other calamity. 

How often have the words blight and plague occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )