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What is the difference between wither and whither?

wither | whither |

As adverbs the difference between wither and whither

is that wither is against, in opposition to while whither is to which place.

As verbs the difference between wither and whither

is that wither is to go against, resist; oppose while whither is to wuther.

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

    whither

    English

    Adverb

    (-)
  • (literary, or, archaic) To which place.
  • * 1918 , , Mirado Modern Classics, paperback edition, page 8
  • The wagon jolted on, carrying me I knew not whither .
  • *
  • *
  • * 1885 , , Penguin Red Classics, paperback edition, page 24
  • And with the same grave countenance he hurried through his breakfast and drove to the police station, whither the body had been carried.

    Usage notes

    * This word is unusual in modern usage; where is much more common. It is more often encountered in older works, or when used poetically. * Do not confuse with whether'' or ''wither .

    Derived terms

    * anywhither * nowhither * whitherward * whitherever

    Synonyms

    * whereto

    Antonyms

    * whence

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (intransitive, obsolete, dialectal) To wuther.
  • English interrogative adverbs