languish

lan·guish

verb \ˈlaŋ-gwish\

Definition of LANGUISH

intransitive verb

1

a : to be or become feeble, weak, or enervated b : to be or live in a state of depression or decreasing vitality

2

a : to become dispirited b : to suffer neglect <the bill languished in the Senate for eight months>

3

: to assume an expression of grief or emotion appealing for sympathy

— lan·guish·er noun

— lan·guish·ing·ly \-gwi-shiŋ-lē\ adverb

— lan·guish·ment \-gwish-mənt\ noun

Examples of LANGUISH

1. <older people, especially, were languishing during the prolonged heat wave>

Origin of LANGUISH

Middle English, from Anglo-French languiss-, stem of languir, from Vulgar Latin *languire, from Latin languēre

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to LANGUISH

Synonyms: decay, droop, emaciate, fade, fail, flag, go, lag, weaken, sag, sink, waste (away), wilt, wither

Related Words: break down, wear out; yield; degenerate, deteriorate, rot, run down

Near Antonyms: convalesce, rally, rebound, recover, recuperate; gain

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Rhymes with LANGUISH

anguish