Wither \With"er\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Withered; p. pr. & vb. n. Withering.]

[OE. wideren; probably the same word as wederen to weather (see Weather, v. & n.); or cf. G. verwittern to decay, to be weather-beaten, Lith. vysti to wither.]

1. To fade; to lose freshness; to become sapless; to become sapless; to dry or shrivel up.

Shall he hot pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? --Ezek. xvii. 9.

2. To lose or want animal moisture; to waste; to pin? away, as animal bodies.

This is man, old, wrinkled, faded, withered. --Shak.

There was a man which had his hand withered. --Matt. xii. 10.

Now warm in love, now with'ring in the grave. --Dryden.

3. To lose vigor or power; to languish; to pass away. ``Names that must not wither.'' --Byron.

States thrive or wither as moons wax and wane. --Cowper.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Wither \With"er\, v. t.

1. To cause to fade, and become dry.

The sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth. --James i. 11.

2. To cause to shrink, wrinkle, or decay, for want of animal moisture. ``Age can not wither her.'' --Shak.

Shot forth pernicious fire Among the accursed, that withered all their strength. --Milton.

3. To cause to languish, perish, or pass away; to blight; as, a reputation withered by calumny.

The passions and the cares that wither life. --Bryant.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)