Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   with·er

   /ˈwiT͟Hər/

   verb

   • 1. (of a plant) become dry and shriveled: "the grass had withered to an unappealing brown" Similar wiltbecome limpdroopfadeshrivel (up)dry updieperishtechnical:become marcescentOpposite thriveflourish
   • ▪ (of a person, limb, or the skin) become shrunken or wrinkled from age or disease: "the flesh had withered away" Similar waste (away)become shrunkenshrivel (up)atrophydecayOpposite strengthen
   • 2. cease to flourish; fall into decay or decline: "programs would wither away if they did not command local support" Similar diminishdwindleshrinklessenfadeebb (away)waneweakenlanguishevaporatemelt awaydisappearOpposite grow
   • ▪ cause to decline or deteriorate; weaken: "a business that can wither the hardiest ego"
   • 3. mortify (someone) with a scornful look or manner: "she withered me with a look"

   Word Origin late Middle English: apparently a variant of weather, ultimately differentiated for certain senses.

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • W

     4

   • I

     1

   • T

     1

   • H

     4

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points