withers
withers Lexical Profile
withers Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To become dry, shrunken, and wrinkled, often as a result of aging or lack of moisture (third-person singular simple present of wither).
"Without regular watering during the summer drought, the garden foliage quickly withers in the afternoon heat."
To fall into decay, decline, or lose vitality and importance over time (third-person singular simple present of wither).
"Public enthusiasm for a costly infrastructure project often withers when construction delays stretch into years."
To humiliate, mortify, or stun someone with a scornful look or harsh remark (third-person singular simple present of wither).
"The veteran conductor withers any unprepared musician with a single disapproving glance from the podium."
• noun
The highest part of the back at the base of the neck in a horse, dog, or other four-legged mammal, situated between the shoulder blades and used as the standard reference point for measuring the animal's height.
"A standardbred horse's height is measured in hands from the ground up to the top of its withers."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a noun referring to the ridge between a quadruped's shoulder blades, 'withers' is plural in form (derived from 'wither' meaning 'against') and usually takes a plural verb, though it is occasionally treated as singular.
• Rhymes for withers
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The anatomical noun comes from Middle English 'wither' (meaning 'against' or 'opposition'), referring to the part of the horse that pushes against the load of a harness. The verb form derives from a variant of 'weather', originally meaning to become dried or shriveled through exposure to the elements.