Main Entry: lan·guish

Pronunciation: \ˈlaŋ-gwish\

Function: intransitive verb

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

Date: 14th century

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