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DictionarywaneGradual decline
verb / noun

wane

WAYN/weɪn/

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

The moon's illuminated portion wanes through the sequence.

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

In context

Cube Chemistry17:18
However, mining operations can wax and wane with economics. Australia's mines have at time paused production when prices were low or due to market shifts
Tantalum: The Cursed Element That Funded a Brutal War☠️🧪

More examples

  • The moon waned as the month progressed.
  • His influence was on the wane.
  • The storm's power gradually waned.

Forms

wane · wanes · waned · waning

Similar words

diminish
Diminish is general; wane often suggests a gradual fading of strength or influence.
wax
Wax means grow or increase, especially of the moon; wane means decrease.