verb, adv — 7 senses
UK /ˈwɪðə/ · US /ˈwɪðɚ/
Etymology From Middle English widren, wydderen (“to dry up, shrivel”), related to or perhaps an alteration of Middle English wederen (“to expose to weather”), from Old English wederian (“to expose to weather, exhibit a change of weather”). Cognates From Proto-Germanic: Dutch verwederen, Dutch verweren (“to erode by weather”), German verwittern, wittern (“to be ruined by weather; to erode”), Swedish vittra (“wither”). More at weather.
To shrivel, droop or dry up, especially from lack of water.
To cause to shrivel or dry up.
Figuratively To lose vigour or power; to languish; to waste away; to pass away.
To become helpless due to emotion.
To make helpless due to emotion.
Etymology From Middle English wither, from Old English wiþer (“again, against”, adverb in compounds), from Proto-West Germanic *wiþr (“against, toward”). Cognates From Proto-Germanic: Low German wedder (“against”), Dutch weer (“again, back”), German wider (“against, contrary to”), German wieder (“again”), Gothic 𐍅𐌹𐌸𐍂𐌰 (wiþra), Old Norse viðr. More at with.
In compounds, Obsolete Against, in opposition to.
Etymology From Middle English witheren, from Old English wiþerian (“to resist, oppose, struggle against”). Cognates From Proto-Germanic: Middle Dutch wideren, Old High German widarōn.
To go against, resist; oppose.
Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.