wilt

¹

[wilt]

verb (used without object)

1. to become limp and drooping, as a fading flower; wither.

2. to lose strength, vigor, assurance, etc..

   to wilt after a day's hard work.

   Synonyms: weaken, ebb, droop, wane

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to wilt.

noun

1. the act of wilting, or the state of being wilted.

   a sudden wilt of interest in the discussion.

2. Plant Pathology.

   1. the drying out, drooping, and withering of the leaves of a plant due to inadequate water supply, excessive transpiration, or vascular disease.

   2. a disease so characterized, as fusarium wilt.

3. a virus disease of various caterpillars, characterized by the liquefaction of body tissues.

wilt

²

[wilt]

verb

Archaic.

1. second person singular present indicative of will.

wilt

¹

/ wɪlt /

verb

1. to become or cause to become limp, flaccid, or drooping

   insufficient water makes plants wilt

2. to lose or cause to lose courage, strength, etc

3. (tr) to cook (a leafy vegetable) very briefly until it begins to collapse

noun

1. the act of wilting or state of becoming wilted

2. any of various plant diseases characterized by permanent wilting, usually caused by fungal parasites attacking the roots

wilt

²

/ wɪlt /

verb

1. archaic,  a singular form of the present tense (indicative mood) of will 1

Word History and Origins

Origin of wilt¹

First recorded in 1685–95; dialectal variant of wilk “to wither,” itself variant of welk, Middle English welken, probably from Middle Dutch welken; compare German welk “withered”

Word History and Origins

Origin of wilt¹

C17: perhaps variant of wilk to wither, from Middle Dutch welken

Example Sentences

But in France, that optimism appears to be wilting.

From BBC

Unlike me, with my sad little balcony lined with wilted pots of herbs, he had proper outdoor space — and a neighbor whose blackberry bush slouched lazily over the fence, heavy with fruit.

From Salon

Granted, I already felt mostly dead that day, wilting on a midday walk I should have taken early.

From Salon

The president’s staff wilts in a series of ridiculous portraits hanging on the White House’s walls.

From Salon

Indeed, it should concern Frank that his team wilted at the first sign of pressure against a side who have had just two pre-season training sessions in the bag.

From BBC

Related Words

• cave in 
• diminish 
• droop 
• dwindle 
• ebb 
• fade 
• faint 
• melt 
• shrivel 
• succumb 
• wane 
• wither