/wayn/ , v. , waned, waning , n.
v.i.
1. to decrease in strength, intensity, etc.: Daylight waned, and night came on. Her enthusiasm for the cause is waning.
2. to decline in power, importance, prosperity, etc.: Colonialism began to wane after World War II.
3. to draw to a close; approach an end: Summer is waning.
4. (of the moon) to decrease periodically in the extent of its illuminated portion after the full moon. Cf. wax 2 (def. 2).
n.
5. a gradual decrease or decline in strength, intensity, power, etc.
6. the drawing to a close of life, an era, a period, etc.
7. the waning of the moon.
8. a period of waning.
9. a defect in a plank or board characterized by bark or insufficient wood at a corner or along an edge, due to the curvature of the log.
10. on the wane , decreasing; diminishing: The popularity of that song is on the wane.
[ bef. 900; ME wanen (v.), OE wanian to lessen; c. MD, MHG wanen, ON vana to cause to wane, destroy ]
Syn. 1, 2. diminish, fail, sink. 5. diminution; failure, decay.