KJV Dictionary Definition: languish

languish

LAN'GUISH, v.i. L. langueo, lachinisso; Gr. to flag, to lag. L. laxo, laxus, flacceo.

1. To lose strength or animation; to be or become dull, feeble or spiritless; to pine; to be or to grow heavy. We languish under disease or after excessive exertion.

She that hath borne seven languisheth. Jer. 15.

2. To wither; to fade; to lose the vegetating power.

For the fields of Heshbon languisheth. Jer. 15.

3. To grow dull; to be no longer active and vigorous. The war languished for want of supplies. Commerce, agriculture, manufactures languish, not for want of money, but for want of good markets.

4. To pine or sink under sorrow or any continued passion; as, a woman languishes for the loss of her lover.

Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish. Hosea 4.

5. To look with softness or tenderness, as with the head reclined and a peculiar cast of the eye.

LAN'GUISH, v.t. To cause to droop or pine. Little used.

LAN'GUISH, n. Act of pining; also, a soft and tender look or appearance.

And the blue languish of soft Allia's eye.

languisher

LAN'GUISHER, n. One who languishes or pines.

languishing

LAN'GUISHING, ppr.

1. Becoming or being feeble; losing strength; pining; withering; fading.

2. a. Having a languid appearance; as a languishing eye.

languishingly

LAN'GUISHINGLY, adv.

1. Weakly; feebly; dully; slowly.

2. With tender softness.

languishment

LAN'GUISHMENT, n.

1. The state of pining.

2. Softness of look or mien, with the head reclined.

Definitions from Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828.
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