See Also: Wane(money)
wane(1)(dictionary)
wane(2)(dictionary)
wane 1, verb(dictionary)
wane 2, noun(dictionary)

wane(2) (iou)



wane verb.
[Old English wanian lessen = Old Frisian wonia, Old Saxon wanon, Old High German wanon, wanen, Old Norse vana, from Germanic base repr. also by Latin vanus vain.]
I. verb intrans. Opp. wax.
Decrease in size or extent; dwindle. Now rare. OE.
B. Jowett That which grows is said to wax, and that which decays to wane.
b. Grow less in quantity or volume; (of the sea or other water) subside, ebb. Now rare. ME.
Of the moon: show a decrease in the extent of the portion illuminated, as occurs progressively from full moon to new moon. OE.
Of light, colour, etc.: decrease in brilliance; become faint or dim. OE.
W. Owen I walk till the stars of London wane And dawn creeps up.
Of a person, nation, etc.: decline in power, importance, or prosperity. OE.
H. Wilson The Cabinet Council..waned in influence.
b. Decline in physical strength; age. rare. E19.
Of a condition, activity, feeling, etc.: become gradually less in degree, decline in intensity, abate. ME.
E. L. Doctorow Long after the girl's interest had waned. P. Fuller The waning of religious belief. A. Huth The heat of her fury began to wane.
Of a period of time: draw to a close, conclude. M16.
D. Garnett The summer waned into autumn.
II. verb trans.
Lessen or diminish (a privilege, quality, etc.). Also foll. by away. Long rare or obsolete. OE.
Cause (the moon) to wane (away). rare. M19.
waned ppl adjective that has waned; diminished, decreased: L16.