Languish
['læŋgwɪʃ] or ['læŋɡwɪʃ]
Definition
(verb.) become feeble; 'The prisoner has be languishing for years in the dungeon'.
Checker: Sigmund--From WordNet
Definition
(v. i.) To become languid or weak; to lose strength or animation; to be or become dull, feeble or spiritless; to pine away; to wither or fade.
(v. i.) To assume an expression of weariness or tender grief, appealing for sympathy.
(v. i.) To cause to droop or pine.
(n.) See Languishiment.
Checked by Alyson
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. n. [1]. Droop, pine, faint, fade, wither, decline, fall, become feeble, pine away, waste away.[2]. Look tender, have the air of a lover.
Checked by Judith
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Pine, droop, sink, faint, wither, sigh, decline
ANT:Flourish, luxuriate, bloom, prosper, thrive
Inputed by Alisa
Definition
v.i. to become languid or enfeebled: to lose strength and animation: to pine: to become dull as of trade.—n. (Shak.) languishment.—adjs. Lang′uished sunken in languor; Lang′uishing expressive of languor or merely sentimental emotion.—adv. Lang′uishingly.—n. Lang′uishment the act or state of languishing: tenderness of look.
Typist: Sonia
Examples
- He was silent and sensitive, and ready to sigh and languish ponderously (as only fat men CAN sigh and languish) on the smallest provocation. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Though they only should remain on the earth, still they shall live, nor shall their cheeks become pale nor their sweet voices languish. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- Those languishing years would follow of which none but the invalid and her immediate friends feel the heart-sickness and know the burden. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- In spite of their best efforts, however, the dinner was a languishing affair. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- This was a full-blown, very plump damsel, fair as waxwork, with handsome and regular features, languishing blue eyes, and ringleted yellow hair. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- I do so like to watch them turn red and pale, and scowl and dart fiery glances at each other, and languishing ones at me. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- A few other topics of general interest were introduced by Mr. Brooke and wet-blanketed by Mrs. Brooke, and conversation languished. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Clym's boyish love for her might have languished, but it might easily be revived again. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- By and by the beadle comes out, once more intensifying the sensation, which has rather languished in the interval. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- For fifteen days the noble Hor Vastus has languished in the darkness of the pits, but not in vain. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- She cocked her head on one side and languished at him through screwed-up eyes. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- That the industry of Scotland languished for want of money to employ it, was the opinion of the famous Mr Law. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The mind, when left to itself, immediately languishes; and in order to preserve its ardour, must be every moment supported by a new flow of passion. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- Every pleasure languishes when enjoyed a-part from company, and every pain becomes more cruel and intolerable. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- France, notwithstanding all its natural resources, languishes under an oppressive load of the same kind. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
Edited by Janet