pine

²pine

verb

pinedpin·ing

Definition of PINE

intransitive verb

1

: to lose vigor, health, or flesh (as through grief) : languish

2

: to yearn intensely and persistently especially for something unattainable <they still pined for their lost wealth>

Origin of PINE

Middle English, from Old English pīnian to suffer, from *pīn punishment, from Latin poena — more at pain

First Known Use: 14th century