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Wither vs Rot - What's the difference?

wither | rot | Related terms |

In intransitive terms the difference between wither and rot

is that wither is to become helpless due to emotion while rot is to deteriorate in any way.

In transitive terms the difference between wither and rot

is that wither is to make helpless due to emotion while rot is to expose, as flax, to a process of maceration, etc., for the purpose of separating the fiber; to ret.

As verbs the difference between wither and rot

is that wither is to go against, resist; oppose while rot is to suffer decomposition due to biological action, especially by fungi or bacteria.

As an adverb wither

is against, in opposition to.

As a noun rot is

the process of becoming rotten; putrefaction.

wither

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl), from (etyl) .

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • (obsolete, or, chiefly in compounds) Against, in opposition to.

    • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) (m), from (etyl) .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To go against, resist; oppose.

    • Etymology 3

    From (etyl) (m), .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To shrivel, droop or dry up, especially from lack of water.
  • To cause to shrivel or dry up.
  • * Bible, Matthew xii. 10
    • There was a man which had his hand withered .
  • * Shakespeare
    • This is man, old, wrinkled, faded, withered .
  • * Dryden
    • now warm in love, now with'ring in the grave
  • (figurative) To lose vigour or power; to languish; to pass away.
  • * Byron
    • names that must not wither
  • * Cowper
    • States thrive or wither as moons wax and wane.
  • To become helpless due to emotion.
  • To make helpless due to emotion.
    • Usage notes
    * Not to be confused with whither .

    Anagrams

    * whiter, writhe

    rot

    English

    Verb

    (rott)
  • To suffer decomposition due to biological action, especially by fungi or bacteria.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • Fixed like a plant on his peculiar spot, / To draw nutrition, propagate, and rot .
  • To decline in function or utility.
  • To deteriorate in any way.
    • I hope they all rot in prison for what they've done.
  • * Macaulay
    • Four of the sufferers were left to rot in irons.
  • * Thackeray
    • Rot , poor bachelor, in your club.
  • To make putrid; to cause to be wholly or partially decomposed by natural processes.
    • to rot vegetable fiber
  • To expose, as flax, to a process of maceration, etc., for the purpose of separating the fiber; to ret.

    • Derived terms

    * potter's rot

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The process of becoming rotten; putrefaction.
  • Any of several diseases in which breakdown of tissue occurs.
  • * Milton
    • His cattle must of rot and murrain die.
  • Verbal nonsense.

    • Synonyms

    * (nonsense) See also

    Anagrams

    * (l), (l), (l), (l), (l), (l), (l) English intransitive verbs ----