1 [no object] (of a plant) become dry and shrivelled:the grass had withered to an unappealing brown (as adjective withered)withered leaves
(of a part of the body) become shrunken or wrinkled from age or disease: (as adjective withered)a girl with a withered arm
2 [no object] fall into decay or decline:it is not true that old myths either die or wither away
[with object] cause to decline or deteriorate; weaken:a business that can wither the hardiest ego
(wither away) (of the state in Marxist theory) cease to exist because no longer necessary after the dictatorship of the proletariat has implemented the necessary changes in society:the state in socialist societies has failed to wither away
3 [with object] humiliate (someone) with a scornful look or manner:she withered him with a glance
wither on the vine
fail to be implemented or dealt with because of inaction:that resolution clearly withered on the vine
