Languish Definition

lănggwĭsh
languished, languishes, languishing
verb
languished, languishes, languishing
To lose vigor or vitality; fail in health; become weak; droop.
Webster's New World
To live under distressing conditions; continue in a state of suffering.
To languish in poverty.
Webster's New World
To lose intensity, impetus, enthusiastic support, etc.
A bill languishing in a congressional committee.
Webster's New World
To remain unattended or be neglected.
Legislation that continued to languish in committee.
American Heritage
To suffer with longing; pine.
Webster's New World

Origin of Languish

  • From the participle stem of Anglo-Norman and Middle French languir, from Late Latin languire, alteration of Latin languēre (“to be faint, unwell”). Compare languor.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English languishen from Old French languir languiss- from Latin languēre to be languid slēg- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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