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v. with·ered, with·er·ing, with·ers v.intr. 1. To dry up or shrivel from loss of moisture. 2. To lose force or vitality; become diminished; wane: "Belief in industry self-regulation took hold ... and formal regulation was allowed to wither" (Eduardo Porter). v.tr. 1. To cause to shrivel or fade. 2. To cause to lose force or vitality; diminish or destroy: "Three years apart had withered her hopes and she was engaged to someone else" (John Garth). 3. To render speechless or incapable of action; stun: The teacher withered the noisy student with a glance. [Alteration of Middle English widderen, perhaps variant of wederen, to weather, from weder, weather; see WEATHER.] |
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