'Dwindling' definitions:
Definition of 'dwindling'
(from WordNet)
adjective
Gradually decreasing until little remains [syn: dwindling, tapering, tapering off]
noun
A becoming gradually less; "there is no greater sadness that the dwindling away of a family" [syn: dwindling, dwindling away]
Definition of 'Dwindling'
From: GCIDE
- Dwindle \Dwin"dle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Dwindled; p. pr. & vb. n. Dwindling.] [From OE. dwinen to languish, waste away, AS. dw[imac]nan; akin to LG. dwinen, D. dwijnen to vanish, Icel. dv[imac]na to cease, dwindle, Sw. tvina; of uncertain origin. The suffix -le, preceded by d excrescent after n, is added to the root with a diminutive force.] To diminish; to become less; to shrink; to waste or consume away; to become degenerate; to fall away. [1913 Webster]
- Weary sennights nine times nine Shall he dwindle, peak and pine. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- Religious societies, though begun with excellent intentions, are said to have dwindled into factious clubs. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'dwindling'
From: GCIDE
- dwindling \dwindling\ adj. gradually decreasing until little remains.
- Syn: tapering, tapering off. [WordNet 1.5]
Definition of 'dwindling'
From: GCIDE
- dwindling \dwindling\ n. the act or process of becoming gradually less until little remains; as, there is no greater sadness that the dwindling away of a family.
- Syn: dwindling away. [WordNet 1.5]
Synonyms of 'dwindling'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- at rest,
- calm,
- catabasis,
- cloistered,
- collapse,
- coming apart,
- contractive,
- cool,
- cracking,
- crash,
- crumbling,
- decadent,
- deceleration,
- declension,
- decline,
- decline and fall,
- declining,
- decreasing,
- decrescendo,
- decrescent,
- degenerate,
- deliquescent,
- deteriorating,
- diminishing,
- diminuendo,
- disintegrating,
- dive,
- downtrend,
- downturn,
- draining,
- drooping,
- drop,
- dying,
- ebb,
- ebbing,
- effete,
- even-tenored,
- fading,
- failing,
- fall,
- falling,
- flagging,
- fragmenting,
- going to pieces,
- halcyon,
- hushed,
- impassive,
- isolated,
- languishing,
- lapse,
- lessening,
- marcescent,
- moldering,
- on the wane,
- pacific,
- peaceable,
- peaceful,
- pining,
- placid,
- plunge,
- quiescent,
- quiet,
- receding,
- reductive,
- regressive,
- remission,
- reposeful,
- reposing,
- restful,
- resting,
- retiring,
- retreat,
- retreating,
- retrograde,
- retrogressive,
- secluded,
- sequestered,
- sequestrated,
- sheltered,
- shrinking,
- shriveling,
- sinking,
- sliding,
- slipping,
- slowdown,
- slump,
- slumping,
- smooth,
- still,
- still as death,
- stillish,
- stilly,
- stoic,
- stolid,
- subsidence,
- subsiding,
- tabetic,
- tranquil,
- unagitated,
- undisturbed,
- unmoved,
- unperturbed,
- unruffled,
- unstirring,
- untroubled,
- wane,
- waning,
- wasting,
- wilting,
- withering,
- worsening