wasten

present singular third person wastens · participle present wastening · participle past wastened · past wastened

1. ambitransitiveTo make or become waste (i.e. barren, dejected, dismal, feeble, or sickly) or wasted

   Not a second was to be wastened when your parent sends you on an errand or some chore.

   2015, Oliver Lockewell, Behind The Mirror: Fright Night Flash Fiction

   5 more examples

   It is our wisdom to master this wastening incredulity: to overcome unbelief, by faith; and so the more easily this present world; making light of its permitted trials, and sitting loose to its possessions.

   1865, John Stock (Vicar of Finchingfield, Essex.), An Exposition of the First Epistle General of St. John.

   […] Thomas s. of Chr: Clifton of Clifton & Will'm sonne of Robert Miller of Leedes lost in the snow the 8t of Februarie & not found till then & Clifto's child strangly wastened all saveing a very few bones thothr whole & fresh […]

   1908, original 1613-1614, The Publications of the Yorkshire Parish Register Society, volume 33, page 203

   And there are seven wax tapers in the quire" he said "that have never been lighted by any man's hand, and that bum day and night at every hour of prayers and that have never wastened or lessened through these fourscore years."

   1920, Lady Augusta Gregory, A Book of Saints and Wonders

   […] do you love me, Mabel? not a pennysworth, Joe troves I lost I never looked for: cracked fountain pens that stained my fingers wastened by irreconcilable degrees into the dust.

   1962, Evidence, numbers 5-8, page 83

   Wolsey wastened no moment in responding. In all diplomatic courtesy, he confirmed Henry's commitment to Francis and his willingness to meet with Charles.

   1980, Nancy Lenz Harvey, Thomas Cardinal Wolsey, page 118

   Synonyms: weaken, wane