wane

wane [wān]

vi.

waned, waning [ME wanien < OE wanian, to decrease, grow less, akin to wan, lacking: for IE base see WANT]

1. to grow gradually less in extent: said esp. of the visible face of the moon during the phases after full moon in which the lighted portion is gradually reduced to a thin crescent on the left, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere: opposed to WAX² (sense 1): see MOON

2. to become less intense, bright, strong, etc.; grow dim or faint, as a light

3. to decline in power, importance, prosperity, influence, etc.

4. to approach the end: said of a period of time [the day wanes]

n.

1.

a) the gradual decrease in the visible face of the moon after it has become full

b) the time when this takes place

2. a gradual decrease in power, importance, intensity, etc., esp. after a gradual climb to a peak

3. a period of decline

4. the beveled, defective, bark-covered edge or corner of a board or plank cut from an unsquared log or block of wood

——————

on the wane

waning, declining, decreasing, etc.

SYN.- WANE implies a fading or weakening of that which has reached a peak of force, excellence, etc. [his fame waned rapidly ]; ABATE suggests a progressive lessening in degree, intensity, etc. [the fever is abating]; EBB, applied specifically to a fluctuating force, refers to one of the periods of recession or decline [their ebbing fortunes ]; SUBSIDE suggests a quieting or slackening of violent activity or turbulence [her temper had subsided] –ANT. WAX¹, INCREASE, REVIVE