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Wither vs Wilt - What's the difference?

wither | wilt |

In intransitive terms the difference between wither and wilt

is that wither is to become helpless due to emotion while wilt is to fatigue; to lose strength.

In transitive terms the difference between wither and wilt

is that wither is to make helpless due to emotion while wilt is to cause to fatigue; to exhaust.

As verbs the difference between wither and wilt

is that wither is to go against, resist; oppose while wilt is to droop or become limp and flaccid (as a dying leaf or flower).

As an adverb wither

is against, in opposition to.

As a noun wilt is

the act of wilting or the state of being wilted.

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

    wilt

    English

    Etymology 1

    Recorded since 1691, probably an alteration of welk, itself from (etyl) welken, presumed from (etyl) (preserved in modern inchoative verwelken) or (etyl) .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To droop or become limp and flaccid (as a dying leaf or flower).
  • To fatigue; to lose strength.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=September 27 , author=Alistair Magowan , title=Bayern Munich 2 - 0 Man City , work=BBC Sport citation , passage=Not only were Jupp Heynckes' team pacey in attack but they were relentless in their pursuit of the ball once they had lost it, and as the game wore on they merely increased their dominance as City wilted in the Allianz Arena.}}
  • To cause to droop or become limp and flaccid (as a flower).
  • To cause to fatigue; to exhaust.

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • The act of wilting or the state of being wilted.
  • Any of various plant diseases characterized by wilting.

    • Etymology 2

    Verb

    (head)
  • * Bible, Psalms
    • If thou triest my heart, if thou visitest me by night, if thou testest me, thou wilt find no wickedness in me.
    English auxiliary verb forms English ergative verbs English irregular second-person singular forms ----