wane n : a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number) [syn: ebb, ebbing]

1 grow smaller; "Interest in the project waned" [syn: decline, go down]

2 become smaller; "Interest in his novels waned" [ant: wax]

3 decrease in phase; "the moon is waning" [ant: wax]

English

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -eɪn

Etymology

wanian.

Noun

1. the waning moon; refers to that portion of the lunar revolution between full and new.
2. Decline; failure; diminution; decrease; declension.
3. An inequality in a board.
4. (scot slang) a child :also wain,waine

Verb

1. To be diminished; to decrease; -- contrasted with wax, and especially applied to the illuminated part of the moon.
2. To decline; to fail; to sink.
3. To cause to decrease.

Antonyms

• wax

Anagrams

• anew

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