wanian

diminish, decline, fade

1 / 1

A sequence of four moon phases from full to thin crescent, same scale, decreasing illuminated area.

verb / noun

wane

WAYN/weɪn/

A gradual decrease in strength, size, brightness, or importance.

Etymology

waneOld Englishdiminish, decline, fade

Old English wanian described gradual shrinking or fading. Its familiar application to the moon’s diminishing visible portion illustrates the same decline expressed when strength, brightness, size, or importance wanes.

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wane