Dictionary-Definition.com :: Wither definition

Definition of 'wither'

verb

Wither, as with a loss of moisture; "The fruit dried and shriveled" [syn: shrivel, shrivel up, shrink, wither]

verb

Lose freshness, vigor, or vitality; "Her bloom was fading" [syn: fade, wither]

From: GCIDE

Wither \With"er\, v. t.
1. To cause to fade, and become dry. [1913 Webster]
The sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth. --James i. 11. [1913 Webster]
2. To cause to shrink, wrinkle, or decay, for want of animal moisture. "Age can not wither her." --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Shot forth pernicious fire Among the accursed, that withered all their strength. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
3. To cause to languish, perish, or pass away; to blight; as, a reputation withered by calumny. [1913 Webster]
The passions and the cares that wither life. --Bryant. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Wither \With"er\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Withered; p. pr. & vb. n. Withering.] [OE. wideren; probably the same word as wederen to weather (see Weather, v. & n.); or cf. G. verwittern to decay, to be weather-beaten, Lith. vysti to wither.] [1913 Webster]
1. To fade; to lose freshness; to become sapless; to become sapless; to dry or shrivel up. [1913 Webster]
Shall he hot pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? --Ezek. xvii. 9. [1913 Webster]
2. To lose or want animal moisture; to waste; to pin? away, as animal bodies. [1913 Webster]
This is man, old, wrinkled, faded, withered. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
There was a man which had his hand withered. --Matt. xii. 10. [1913 Webster]
Now warm in love, now with'ring in the grave. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
3. To lose vigor or power; to languish; to pass away. "Names that must not wither." --Byron. [1913 Webster]
States thrive or wither as moons wax and wane. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]