Main Entry:

¹with·er

Pronunciation:

\ˈwi-thər\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

with·ered; with·er·ing \ˈwith-riŋ, ˈwi-thə-\

Etymology:

Middle English widren; probably akin to Middle English weder weather

Date:

14th century

intransitive verb1: to become dry and sapless ; especially : to shrivel from or as if from loss of bodily moisture2: to lose vitality, force, or freshness <public support for the bill is withering>transitive verb1: to cause to wither2: to make speechless or incapable of action : stun <withered him with a look — Dorothy Sayers>