lan·guish
(lănǵgwĭsh)
[Middle English languishen, from Old French languir, languiss-, from Latin languēre, to be languid.]
intransitive verb: -guished, -guish·ing, -guish·es.
- To be or become weak or feeble; lose strength or vigor.
- To exist or continue in miserable or disheartening conditions: languished away in prison.
- To remain unattended or be neglected: legislation that continued to languish in committee.
- To become downcast or pine away in longing: languish apart from friends and family; languish for a change from dull routine.
- To affect a wistful or languid air, especially in order to gain sympathy.
derivatives
- lańguish·er
- noun
- lańguish·ing·ly
- adverb
- lańguish·ment
- noun