I. ˈwān intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English wanien, wanen, from Old English wanian; akin to Old High German wanōn to wane, Old Norse vana to lessen; all from a prehistoric Germanic adjective represented by Old English & Old High German wan wanting, deficient, absent, Old Norse vanr, Gothic wans; akin to Latin vanus empty, vain, Greek eunis bereft, lacking, Sanskrit ūna wanting, deficient, and perhaps to Latin vacare to be empty, vacuus empty
1. : to decrease in size or extent : dwindle: as
a. : to diminish in phase or intensity — used of the moon and other satellites and inferior planets; opposed to wax ; see moon illustration
b. : to become less in brilliance or power : grow dim — used of light or color
c. : to flow out : ebb — used of water or the tide
2. : to fall especially gradually from power, prosperity, or influence : decay , decline
a waning political party
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from wanen to wane
1.
a. : the act or action of decreasing or diminishing
strength on the wane
b. : the period or time of decreasing or diminishing
the wane of colors of a sunset
2. : the act, time, or phenomenon of decreasing in phase or intensity ; specifically : the period from full phase of the moon to the new moon
3.
[Middle English, defect, shortage, from Old English wana; akin to Old English wan deficient — more at wane I]
: an edge or corner defect in lumber characterized by the presence of bark or by lack of wood — compare waney 2