wilt
wilt
UK[wɪlt]US[wɪlt]
v
(of a plant or flower) to become weak, bend over, and start to die, usually because it needs water or is too warm.
v
(of a person) to lose energy, confidence, or strength.
Etymology
The verb 'wilt' emerged in English in the late 17th century, likely as a borrowing from regional German or Dutch dialects, where words like the Low German welken and the Dutch welken (meaning 'to wither') were in use. These Germanic terms are thought to be related to the Old English wealwian ('to wither') and may share a deeper Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to turn' or 'to roll', conceptually linked to the curling and drooping of dying foliage. The word's specific application to plants losing turgor and drooping provided a vivid metaphor that was later extended to describe people losing vitality or confidence under pressure.
Analysis
This is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It functions as a verb in its modern usage.
Examples
The roses began to wilt in the intense afternoon heat.
After hours of interrogation, the suspect's resolve started to wilt.
Without regular watering, the lettuce will quickly wilt and become unusable.