A Word A Day : Wilt


Wednesday, 17th October 2007 : Today's Word is ...

Wilt



( Verb & Noun )


Pronunciation : wi-lt

1. To droop or shrivel through lack of water, too much heat, or disease, or make a plant droop or shrivel

2. To become weak and tired, e.g. because of heat

3. To lose confidence, composure, or enthusiasm, or make somebody do this

4. The drooping of plants or shriveling of leaves because of a lack of water, too much heat, or disease

5. A plant disease caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses that make plants droop and leaves shrivel

6. An instance of wilting or the condition of having wilted


Etymology:


Possibly alteration of dialectal welk, from Middle English welken

Synonyms:


Droop, Weaken, Wither, Shrivel, Fade, Wane, Sag



Antonyms:


Strengthen, Enliven, Flourish


Contextual Examples:


• His brain wilted from hitherto unprecedented weariness.

• The landladies, without exception, had wilted beneath that gaze.

Enjoy this list and then get around for preparing your own list of words. There is no better way of boosting your words power. The most effective way to build your vocabulary is described in the page on Word Power. Educational research has discovered that your I.Q. is intimately related to your Word Power. Take a standard Vocabulary test and then an intelligent test, the result in both will be substantially the same. The more extensive your vocabulary, the better your chances of success, other things being equal- success in attaining your educational goals, success in moving ahead in your business or professional career, success in achieving your intellectual potential.

Previous Word| Next Word



Go to The A Word A Day Index


From Wilt to HOME PAGE