Dwin"dle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Dwindled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dwindling (?).] [From OE. dwinen to languish, waste away, AS. dwinan; akin to LG. dwinen, D. dwijnen to vanish, Icel. dvina to cease, dwindle, Sw. tvina; of uncertain origin. The suffix -le, preceded by d excrescent after n, is added to the root with a diminutive force.]

To diminish; to become less; to shrink; to waste or consume away; to become degenerate; to fall away.

Weary sennights nine times nine Shall he dwindle, peak and pine. Shak.

Religious societies, though begun with excellent intentions, are said to have dwindled into factious clubs. Swift.

 

© Webster 1913.


Dwin"dle, v. t.

1.

To make less; to bring low.

Our drooping days are dwindled down to naught. Thomson.

2.

To break; to disperse.

[R.]

Clarendon.

 

© Webster 1913.


Dwin"dle, n.

The process of dwindling; dwindlement; decline; degeneracy.

[R.]

Johnson.

 

© Webster 1913.