Part of Speech– Noun

Definition-Something that causes harm or damage like a disease

Source–http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blighting

Encountering of Word-“..she had been in a good degree preserved from the blighting and dehumanizing effects of slavery.”

Understanding-I understand what this part of the text means now. It was referring to slavery as a disease and the passage seems even clearer now that i know what this word means.