Dwindled

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Dwindle \Dwin"dle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dwindled}; p. pr. & vb.
     n. {Dwindling}.] [From OE. dwinen to languish, waste away,
     AS. dw[imac]nan; akin to LG. dwinen, D. dwijnen to vanish,
     Icel. dv[imac]na to cease, dwindle, Sw. tvina; of uncertain
     origin. The suffix -le, preceded by d excrescent after n, is
     added to the root with a diminutive force.]


     To diminish; to become less; to shrink; to waste or consume
     away; to become degenerate; to fall away.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Weary sennights nine times nine
           Shall he dwindle, peak and pine.         --Shak.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Religious societies, though begun with excellent
           intentions,
           are said to have dwindled into factious clubs. --Swift.
     [1913 Webster]