Wane
[weɪn] or [wen]
Definition
(verb.) decrease in phase; 'the moon is waning'.
(verb.) become smaller; 'Interest in his novels waned'.
Typed by Ellie--From WordNet
Definition
(v. i.) To be diminished; to decrease; -- contrasted with wax, and especially applied to the illuminated part of the moon.
(v. i.) To decline; to fail; to sink.
(v. t.) To cause to decrease.
(n.) The decrease of the illuminated part of the moon to the eye of a spectator.
(n.) Decline; failure; diminution; decrease; declension.
(n.) An inequality in a board.
Edited by Clifford
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. n. [1]. Decrease, diminish, grow less.[2]. Decline, fail, sink.
n. [1]. Diminution, decrease, lessening, abatement.[2]. Decline, declension, decay, failure, falling off.
Inputed by Harlow
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Fade, pale, decrease, diminish, decline, fail, sink, ebb, deteriorate, recede,pine, droop, attenuate, contract
ANT:Brighten, increase, improve, mend, advance, rally, develop, recover, expand
Typist: Rosa
Definition
v.i. to decrease esp. of the moon—opp. to Wax: to decline to fail.—n. decline: decrease.
Edited by Anselm
Examples
- Matters being brought to this so far satisfactory pass, and time being on the wane, Mrs. Bagnet proposes a departure. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- With the quick sensibility peculiar to his temperament, he perceived his power in the brilliant circle to be on the wane. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- But, at about the time of High 'Change, Pressure began to wane, and appalling whispers to circulate, east, west, north, and south. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- The day waned into a gloomy evening, overcast and sad, and I still contended with the same distress. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Plutarch accuses Pericles of bringing it on, because he felt his popularity waned so fast that a war was needed to make him indispensable. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- So we all rode down to Magdala, while the gnashing of teeth waxed and waned by turns, and harsh words troubled the holy calm of Galilee. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- As soon as the first enthusiasm for freedom waned, the weakness of the theory upon the constructive side became obvious. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Lastly, the aim of following nature means to note the origin, the waxing, and waning, of preferences and interests. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- It was dim--a pale, waning autumn day. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- But the sense of the waning hour made him desperate: he could not bear the thought that a barrier of words should drop between them again. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- The waning moon, which had just risen, shewed me a cottage, whose neat entrance and trim garden reminded me of my own England. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- May I suggest, Schoolmaster,' said Eugene, removing his fast-waning cigar from his lips to glance at it, 'that you can now take your pupil away. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Oh, waning moon! Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- Yet the scene in the dining-room of the Abbey Grange was sufficiently strange to arrest his attention and to recall his waning interest. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
Typist: Morton