wane

¹wane

intransitive verb \ˈwān\

wanedwan·ing

Definition of WANE

1

: to decrease in size, extent, or degree : dwindle: as

a : to diminish in phase or intensity —used chiefly of the moon, other satellites, and inferior planets

b : to become less brilliant or powerful : dim

c : to flow out : ebb

2

: to fall gradually from power, prosperity, or influence

Examples of WANE

1. The moon waxes and then wanes.
2. The scandal caused her popularity to wane.
3. Interest in this issue has continued to wane.
4. the waning days of summer

Origin of WANE

Middle English, from Old English wanian; akin to Old High German wanōn to wane, Old English wan wanting, deficient, Latin vanus empty, vain

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WANE

Synonyms

abate, decline, de-escalate, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle, ease, ebb, fall, fall away, lessen, let up, lower, moderate, pall, phase down, ratchet (down) also rachet (down), recede, relent, remit, shrink, subside, taper, taper off, decrease

Antonyms

accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon (also bourgeon), enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, increase, intensify, mount, mushroom, pick up, rise, snowball, soar, swell, wax

Related Words

compress, condense, constrict, contract; evaporate, fade (away), fritter (away), give out, melt (away), peter (out), tail (off), vanish; slacken, slow (down); alleviate, relax; flag, sink, weaken; cave (in), collapse, deflate

Near Antonyms

appear, emerge, show up; blow up, distend, elongate, lengthen

See Synonym Discussion at abate

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wax, zenith

Rhymes with WANE

ain, Aisne, ane, Bain, bane, blain, brain, cane, chain, crane, deign, drain, fain, fane, feign, gain, grain, Kane, lane, Lane, main, mane, pain, Paine, pane, plain, plane, quean, rain, reign, rein, sain, sane, seine, Seine, skein, Spain, sprain, stain, strain, swain, thane, thegn, train, twain, Twain, vain, vane, vein, wain, Wayne

²wane

noun

Definition of WANE

1

a : the act or process of waning <strength on the wane>

b : a period or time of waning; specifically : the period from the full moon to the new moon

2

[Middle English, defect, from Old English wana; akin to Old English wan deficient] : a defect in lumber characterized by bark or a lack of wood at a corner or edge

First Known Use of WANE

14th century

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax, zenith