n.
Function: verb
Inflected Form: wast · ed ; wast · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French waster, gaster, from Latin vastare, from vastus desolate, waste
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 : to lay waste especially : to damage or destroy gradually and progressively <reclaiming land wasted by strip-mining>
2 : to cause to shrink in physical bulk or strength : EMACIATE , ENFEEBLE <a body wasted by disease>
3 : to wear away or diminish gradually : CONSUME
4 a : to spend or use carelessly : SQUANDER < waste valuable resources> b : to allow to be used inefficiently or become dissipated <a writer wasting her talent>
5 : KILL also : to injure severely
intransitive verb
1 : to lose weight, strength, or vitality ― often used with away <was wasting away from illness>
2 a : to become diminished in bulk or substance b : to become consumed
3 : to spend money or consume property extravagantly or improvidently
synonyms see RAVAGE
– waste one's breath : to accomplish nothing by speaking