wither
Meaning: To dry up, shrivel, and decay, especially of a plant. Figuratively, to decline, weaken, or lose vitality and force over time.
Wither is a vivid, physical word that transfers powerfully to abstract contexts. Plants wither in drought; hopes, ambitions, and institutions wither from neglect. The phrase 'wither on the vine' describes an idea or initiative that dies from inaction. The adjective 'withering' means devastatingly critical — 'a withering look,' 'withering contempt' — and is one of the most common collocations. Marx's prediction that the state would 'wither away' under communism gave the word a political afterlife.
Examples
- Without regular watering, the garden plants withered in the unprecedented summer heatwave. 在前所未有的夏季热浪中,花园里的植物由于缺乏定期浇水而枯萎了。Sin riego regular, las plantas del jardín se marchitaron durante la ola de calor estival sin precedentes.定期的な水やりがなかったため、前例のない夏の猛暑の中で庭の植物が枯れてしまった。정기적인 물주기가 없어 전례 없는 여름 폭염 속에서 정원의 식물들이 말라 시들어 버렸다.
- Support for the policy has withered steadily since the government failed to deliver on its initial promises. 自从政府未能兑现最初的承诺以来,对该政策的支持持续下降。El apoyo a la política se ha ido marchitando desde que el gobierno no cumplió sus promesas iniciales.政府が当初の約束を果たせなかったため、その政策への支持は着実に衰退している。정부가 당초 약속을 이행하지 못하면서 그 정책에 대한 지지가 꾸준히 쇠퇴하고 있다.
- She silenced him with a single withering glance across the conference table. 她在会议桌对面以一个犀利的目光令他噤声。Ella lo silenció con una sola mirada fulminante desde el otro lado de la mesa de reuniones.彼女は会議テーブルの向こうからただ一度の痛烈な視線で彼を黙らせた。그녀는 회의 테이블 건너편에서 단 한 번의 신랄한 시선으로 그를 침묵시켰다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, academic, general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Middle English widderen, probably a variant of wederen (to weather, to expose to the elements), from weder (weather). The figurative sense developed in the 16th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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