languishingn.
/ˈlaŋɡwᵻʃɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈlæŋɡwɪʃɪŋ/ The action of languish v.; languor; also (frequently in plural) an instance of this. In early use: spec. an illness, a bout of weakness.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > [noun] > weakness
faintise1297
weaknessa1300
faintc1320
feebleness1340
languishingc1384
lamea1400
unferea1400
unferenessa1400
unwielda1400
impotence1406
imbecility?a1425
languisha1425
languoringa1438
unwieldness1437
faintnessa1440
impotency1440
infirmityc1440
debility1484
unlustiness1486
resolution1547
unwieldiness1575
languishment1576
infirmness1596
weakness1603
prostrationa1626
exolution1634
languidness1634
prosternation1650
faintingnessa1661
debilitude1669
flaccidity1676
atony1693
puniness1727
faintishness1733
adynamia1743
asthenia1802
adynamy1817
weakliness1826
tonelessness1873
atonicity1900
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [noun] > becoming
swooningc1290
languishingc1384
droopingc1400
fainting1601
flagging1611
sinking1625
jading1641
collapsing1855
crocking1928
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke iv. 40 Sike men with dyuerse langwischingis.
a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (Pierpont Morgan) (1881) i. l. 529 Then were I quyt of langwysshyng yn drede.
a1450 (?1348) R. Rolle Form of Living (Cambr.) in Eng. Writings (1931) 106 Languysyng [v.r. languyssyng] es when men fayles for sekenes, And þai..fayles fra al þe covayties of þis worlde.
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 10 Feling also the languisshing & smarting of their woundes.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 83 Bricht sygn, gladyng our languissing.
1581 J. Studley tr. Seneca Hercules Oetæus v, in T. Newton et al. tr. Seneca 10 Trag. f. 214 With al his liuely gestures still, and thus he doth perswade. His mother leaue the langusihing, and mourning that she made.
1611 Bible (King James) Psalms xli. 3 The Lord will strengthen him vpon the bed of languishing . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) i. iii. 227 A remedie..To cure the desperate languishings whereof The King is render'd lost. View more context for this quotation
a1688 R. Cudworth Treat. Eternal & Immutable Morality (1731) iv. ii. 161 If this Harmonical Temperature of the whole Body be disturbed..Weakness and Languishing will immediately seize upon it.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 140. ⁋2 He..speaks of Flames, Tortures, Languishings and Ecstasies.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 391 He fell into a languishing, which after some months carried him off.
1799 T. S. Whalley Castle Montval i. 6 I will hasten to thy arms again, And recompence the languishings of absence.
1816 T. Chalmers Let. in W. Hanna Mem. T. Chalmers (1851) II. 53 To sustain you under all the sickenings, and faintings, and languishings of your earthly disease.
1883 S. Baring-Gould John Herring II. xxiii. 39 The squirms and languishings of the redeyelashed heiress..were grotesque.
1938 L. Tertis Beauty of Tone in String Playing 14 There must be no drawling, languishing, or lingering in the action of the slide.
1963 M. P. Mack J. Bentham i. 37 It is full of..scenes of Parisian gambling dens and the wilds of America, languishings in jail, and even a secret poisoning.
2003 Evening Standard (Nexis) 30 Apr. 7 Here is music of operatic grandeur, of erotic longings and languishings.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
languishingadj.
/ˈlaŋɡwᵻʃɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈlæŋɡwɪʃɪŋ/ That languishes.
1.
a. Declining in health, pining away; drooping, withering, failing. Also in early use: †suffering from sickness or disease (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > [adjective] > in state of ill health or diseased
untrumc825
sickc888
unwholec888
slackc897
unstronga900
sicklea1000
sam-halea1023
worseOE
attaint1303
languishinga1325
heallessc1374
sicklyc1374
sicklewa1387
bada1393
mishalea1400
languoring?c1425
distempered1440
unwell?c1450
detent?a1475
poora1475
languorousc1475
maladif1481
illa1500
maladiousc1500
wanthriven1508
attainted1509
unsound1513
acrazed1521
cracked1527
unsoundya1529
visited1537
infirmed1552
crazed1555
healthless1568
ill-liking1572
afflicted1574
crazy1576
unhealthful1580
sickish1581
valetudinary1581
not well1587
fainty1590
ill-disposed1596
unhealthsome1598
tainted1600
ill-affected1604
peaking1611
unhealthy1611
infirmited1616
disaffected1626
physical1633
illish1637
pimping1640
invalid1642
misaffected1645
valetudinarious1648
unhale1653
badly1654
unwholesome1655
valetudinous1655
morbulent1656
off the hooksa1658
mawkish1668
morbid1668
unthriven1680
unsane1690
ailing1716
not wellish1737
underlya1742
poorly1750
indifferent1753
comical1755
maladized1790
sober1808
sickened1815
broken-down1816
peaky1821
poorlyish1827
souffrante1827
run-down1831
sicklied1835
addle1844
shaky1844
mean1845
dauncy1846
stricken1846
peakyish1853
po'ly1860
pindling1861
rough1882
rocky1883
suffering1885
wabbit1895
icky-boo1920
like death warmed up1924
icky1938
ropy1945
crappy1956
hanging1971
sick as a parrot1982
shite1987
the mind > emotion > suffering > dejection > [adjective]
ungladc888
wearyc888
drearyc1000
dreary-moodOE
heavyc1000
unmerryOE
droopy?c1225
mournc1275
sada1300
languishinga1325
amayedc1330
matec1330
unlightc1330
unblissful1340
lowa1382
mishappyc1390
dullc1393
elengely1393
droopinga1400
heavy-hearteda1400
joylessa1400
sytefula1400
mornifc1400
tristy?c1400
lightless?1406
heartlessa1413
tristc1420
amatec1425
languoring?c1425
mirthlessc1430
heavisome1435
darkc1440
gloomingc1440
comfortlessc1460
amateda1470
chermatc1475
tristfula1492
lustless?1507
dolorous1513
ruthful1513
downcast1521
deject1528
heartsicka1529
lumpisha1535
coolc1540
dowlyc1540
glum1547
discouraged1548
uncheerfulc1555
dumpish1560
out of heart1565
sadded1566
amoped1573
tristive1578
desolated1580
dejected1581
à la mort1586
delightless1589
afflicted1590
gladless1590
groanful1590
gloomya1593
muddy1592
sitheful1592
cloudy1594
leaden-hearted1596
disconsolated1598
clum1599
life-weary1599
spiritless1600
dusky1602
chop-fallen1604
flat1604
disanimated1605
jaw-fallen1605
moped1606
chap-fallen1608
decheerful1608
uncheerful1612
lacklustrea1616
pulled1616
dumpya1618
depressed1621
head-hung1632
grum1640
downa1644
dispirited1647
down-at-mouth1649
down in (rarely of) the mouth1649
unhearted1650
sunlessa1658
sadful1658
unlightened1659
chagrin1665
saddened1665
damp1667
moping1674
desponding1688
tristitious1694
unenjoying1697
unraised1697
unheartya1699
unked1698
despondent1699
dismal1705
unjoyful1709
unrejoiced1714
dreara1717
disheartened1720
mumpish1721
unrejoicing1726
downhearted1742
out of spirits1745
chagrineda1754
low-spirited1753
sombrea1767
black-blooded1771
glumpy1780
oorie1787
sombrous1789
morose1791
Novemberish1793
glumpish1800
mopeful1800
die-away1802
blue-devilish1804
blue-devilled1807
malagrugrous1818
down in the hip1826
yonderly1828
sunshineless1831
downfaced1832
broody1851
in a (or the) trough1856
blue-devilly1871
drooped1873
glummy1884
pippy1886
humpy1889
pipped1914
lousy1933
pissed1943
crappy1956
doomy1961
bummed1970
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [adjective] > feeble or faint
swownc1000
faintc1320
languishinga1325
faltering1549
drooping1553
fainting1558
languished1577
swooning1646
weaka1707
languescent1837
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [adjective] > becoming weak
languishinga1325
languescent1837
the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by poor growth > [adjective] > growing poorly or withering
feyOE
withering1599
weak1600
misliking1601
unfirm1616
languishing1683
sickly1697
marcescent1727
weakly1775
miffy1850
wilting1884
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > wasting disease > [adjective]
pinedOE
dwined?a1366
tabefactc1425
consumptive1648
languishing1683
dwining1718
marasmoid1857
marasmous1857
marasmic1876
marantic1881
abiotrophic1902
a1325 Statutes of Realm (2011) vii. 53 Foralsemuche ase schirreuen..weren iwoned to greuen hoere vnderlinges, to puten hoem in assisene, ant in iurees, languissende men, ant krokede men, ant men of lastinde vuel..on þilke manere to nimen of hoere katel to suffri sume atorne.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Wisd. xvii. 8 Thei..that bihiȝten dredes and perturbaciouns them to putten out fro the languysshende soule [a1425 L.V. a sijk soule; L. ab anima languente] these..of drede languyssheden.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) John v. 3 A greet multitude of langwischinge men [L. languentium].
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) iii. xii. sig. Pp7 Lifting vp his languishing eyes (which a painefull rest, and iron sleepe did seeke to lock vp) seeing her, in whom (euen dying) he liued.
a1599 E. Spenser View State Ireland 59 in J. Ware Two Hist. Ireland (1633) His languishing soule being disquieted by his diseasefull bodye.
1658 J. Shirley Honoria & Mammon iii. 52 Which their immoderate sorrows would consume As cure the languishing patient.
1683 T. Tryon Way to Health (1697) vi. 100 The gasping parched Earth and languishing Nature.
a1711 T. Ken Divine Love in Wks. (1838) 327 My weak and languishing soul.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 585 He was now in so languishing a state,..that..his death..seemed to be very near.
1777 S. Johnson Let. 27 Aug. (1992) III. 56 The poor languishing Lady is glad to see me.
1805 W. Godwin Fleetwood III. xix. 332 Louisa did every thing in her power to support her languishing friend.
1858 Bryant Rain-dream ii A thousand languishing fields, A thousand fainting gardens, are refreshed.
1884 C. Thaxter Poems for Children 129 Wounded and lame and languishing he lives.
1948 Cullman (Alabama) Banner 3 June A languishing patient depends on the skill of the physician.
1977 B. Martin tr. D. Bergelson When all is said & Done ii. v. 70 How violently and sadly the leafless and greatly languishing trees roundabout now roar about this.
2007 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 9 Feb. 33 The scene in which a languishing Charlotte explains the inevitability of death is deeply moving.
b. figurative. In a state of decline or deterioration; fading.
ΚΠ
1661 (title) An humble representation of the sad condition of many of the Kings party, who since his Majesties happy restauration have no relief, and but languishing hopes.
1701 J. Woodward Acct. Relig. Societies London (ed. 3) Ded. sig. A4v Do all that you regularly can, toward..the revival of languishing Religion.
1776 A. Smith Inq. Wealth of Nations II. v. i. 376 The establishment of the two great mendicant orders..revived..the languishing faith and devotion of the catholic church. View more context for this quotation
1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola III. iii. xiii. 129 Every loggia..was astir with the excitement of gratuitous debate; a languishing trade tending to make political discussion all the more vigorous.
1887 Chicago Advance 5 May 274 The true way to re-energize the languishing institution.
1937 Amer. Home Apr. 158/1 (advt.) It arms you with..talk tonics that never fail to revive a languishing conversation.
1978 Guardian Weekly 23 Apr. 16/1 Does it all mean that Congress ought not pass the languishing energy bill?
2001 Observer (Nexis) 15 July (Life Suppl.) 78 Your languishing career prospects are starting to look up.
2. Of illness, sufferings, or death: that causes languishment; slow, painfully protracted.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > characteristics > [adjective] > protracted
languoring?c1425
languishing1567
lingeringa1616
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > characteristics > [adjective] > weakening
macerating1631
languishing1683
knock-me-down1896
1567 G. Fenton tr. M. Bandello Certaine Tragicall Disc. f. 266v The vehemencie of their languishinge greeffe [Fr. Lesquelles beatifient la symphatie des amans].
?a1591 King James VI & I Poems (1955) I. 169 The languishing phtisie eik The epilepsie dead uithall bredd of a uaporouse reike.
1595 S. Daniel First Fowre Bks. Ciuile Warres iv. xviii. sig. T3 And languishing luxuriousnes had spred Feeble vnaptnes ouer all the land.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) i. v. 9 These most poysonous Compounds, Which are the moouers of a languishing death. View more context for this quotation
1677 Bp. G. Burnet Mem. Dukes of Hamilton 313 He pressed him not to give way to languishing Sorrow.
1683 T. Tryon Way to Health (1697) xix. 424 Consumptions, and other languishing Diseases.
1725 E. F. Haywood Force of Nature 19 in Secret Hist. Novels & Poems (ed. 2) IV Fallen into a languishing Melancholly.
1768 H. Walpole Hist. Doubts 129 His wife, who died of a languishing distemper.
1799 J. Foster Serm. 21 Her affectionate husband..is now confined on a bed of languishing sickness.
1805 W. Godwin Fleetwood III. vii. 101 Mrs. Gifford opportunely fell ill of a languishing distemper.
1843 in L. Hunt One Hundred Romances Real Life lxxxix. 122/1 She refused to marry, and died of a languishing sorrow before she was twenty.
1876 Freeborn County Standard (Albert Lea, Minnesota) 30 Mar. How many girls die a languishing death, as a result of long continued tight lacing?
1939 Folk-lore 50 365 The victim wasted away of a languishing sickness.
1955 J. Mayne tr. C. Baudelaire Mirror of Art 248 The languishing sadness of the Christian prisoner is faithfully reflected.
2006 Detroit Free Press (Nexis) 28 Oct. It was a ruse to deflect attention from the abuse that ended in the boy's languishing death.
3. (a) Pining with love or grief. (b) (With reference to looks or behaviour) expressive of love, desire, or (esp. affected) emotion.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > amorous love > [adjective] > languishing for or with love
sickOE
lovesicka1450
languishing1568
fancy-sick1600
lovelorn1637
the mind > emotion > love > flirtation or coquetry > [adjective] > casting amorous or admiring looks > (of an eye) expressive of tenderness
languishing1748
languorous1753
1568 T. Howell Arbor of Amitie f. 26 (title of poem) The languishing Louer to his Ladie.
1657 G. Thornley tr. Longus Daphnis & Chloe 61 They [sc. lovers] are languishing and carelesse to other things.
1683 T. D'Urfey New Coll. Songs 9 Possess the pleasing toil of languishing Embraces.
1683 T. Tryon Way to Health (1697) xix. 428 Whether they look Soberly, or Merry, Languishing, or with Wide Mouths.
1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random II. lxii. 279 Looking at me with a languishing eye, he pronounced [etc.].
1786 S. Henley tr. W. Beckford Arabian Tale 166 She is preposterously sighing after a stripling with languishing eyes and soft hair, who loves her.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth viii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 197 Tell me now, how look I, thus disposed on the couch—languishing and ladylike, ha?
1869 B. Taylor Byeways of Europe I. 227 The Majorcans still have their troubadours, who are hired by languishing lovers to improvise strains.
1891 Athenæum 24 Oct. 547/1 She is too Madonnaish in one way, too languishing and sentimental in another.
1928 L. Stockett Baltimore ix. 163 Charming young ladies with languishing glances and ringlets, young ladies who ‘bridled’ and flushed delicately.
1958 P. Gibbs Curtains of Yesterday 105 Robin was not the kind of man to reject this languishing lady, as beautiful as Lady Hamilton when Romney painted her.
1991 Observer (Nexis) 12 May 55 Those interminable hanks of Petrarchan sonnetry in which the languishing lover attitudinises frantically in hopes of grabbing his cruel mistress's attention.
4. Suffering from or exhibiting weariness or ennui; (of movement) slow or languid. Also: uninteresting. Now somewhat rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [adjective]
wearyc825
asadc1306
ateyntc1325
attaintc1325
recrayed1340
methefula1350
for-wearya1375
matea1375
taintc1380
heavy1382
fortireda1400
methefula1400
afoundered?a1425
tewedc1440
travailedc1440
wearisomec1460
fatigate1471
defatigatec1487
tired1488
recreant1490
yolden?1507
fulyeit?a1513
traiked?a1513
tavert1535
wearied1538
fatigated1552
awearya1555
forwearied1562
overtired1567
spenta1568
done1575
awearied1577
stank1579
languishinga1586
bankrupt?1589
fordone1590
spent1591
overwearied1592
overworn1592
outworn1597
half-dead1601
back-broken1603
tiry1611
defatigated1612
dog-wearya1616
overweary1617
exhaust1621
worn-out1639
embossed1651
outspent1652
exhausted1667
beaten1681
bejaded1687
harassed1693
jaded1693
lassate1694
defeata1732
beat out1758
fagged1764
dog-tired1770
fessive1773
done-up1784
forjeskit1786
ramfeezled1786
done-over1789
fatigued1791
forfoughten1794
worn-up1812
dead1813
out-burnta1821
prostrate1820
dead beat1822
told out1822
bone-tireda1825
traiky1825
overfatigued1834
outwearied1837
done like (a) dinner1838
magged1839
used up1839
tuckered outc1840
drained1855
floored1857
weariful1862
wappered1868
bushed1870
bezzled1875
dead-beaten1875
down1885
tucked up1891
ready (or fit) to drop1892
buggered-up1893
ground-down1897
played1897
veal-bled1899
stove-up1901
trachled1910
ragged1912
beat up1914
done in1917
whacked1919
washy1922
pooped1928
shattered1930
punchy1932
shagged1932
shot1939
whipped1940
buggered1942
flaked (out)1942
fucked1949
sold-out1958
wiped1958
burnt out1959
wrung out1962
juiced1965
hanging1971
zonked1972
maxed1978
raddled1978
zoned1980
cream crackered1983
the world > action or operation > manner of action > slowness of action or operation > [adjective]
lateeOE
slackc1000
slowc1225
heavya1400
lent14..
slowfulc1400
sloth1412
latesomea1425
sluggedc1430
sluggingc1430
tardy1483
lingeringa1547
tarde1547
sleuth1567
snailish1581
slow-moving1592
lagging1597
snail-paced1597
snail-slow1600
slow-pacing1616
snail-like1639
sluggish1640
ignave1657
languishing1693
slow-stepping1793
lentitudinous1801
somnolent1812
slow-coachish1844
tardigradous1866
vermigrade1938
slow-cooking1968
the world > movement > rate of motion > slowness > [adjective] > tardy or sluggish
lateeOE
latredec897
latelyOE
slowfulc1400
latesomea1425
languoring?c1425
sluggedc1430
tardy1483
tediousc1485
hooly1513
longsome1543
lingeringa1547
tarde1547
slow-worm1548
tardious?1572
lagging1597
snail-slow1600
snail-paced1601
snail-like1639
languid1646
dilatory1648
sluggish1648
languishing1693
laggard1702
lentitudinous1801
laggardly1826
lag-last1862
slowpoke1872
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > weakness or feebleness > [adjective] > dull
tedious1412
weary1549
plumbeousa1586
ungayed1670
deserta1674
prosaic1692
pedestrian1716
languishing1741
unglittering1813
prosy1837
urned1849
monotone1862
bluebooky1872
stodgy1874
pedestrial1941
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. xviii. sig. L5 He himselfe went but a kinde of languishing pace, with his eies somewhat cast vp to heauen.
1623 R. Carpenter Conscionable Christian 18 The imperfect Essayes..of lazie languishing wishers and woulders.
1651 Ld. Orrery Parthenissa I. i. i. 2 With so languishing and carelesse a pace.
1693 J. Dryden Disc. conc. Satire in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires p. iv Mr. Smith, and Mr. Johnson..were two such Languishing Gentlemen in their Conversation.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 255. ¶1 The Soul..is..slow in its Resolves, and languishing in its Executions.
1741 tr. Marquis d'Argens Chinese Lett. xxiii. 162 Our Poets deprive themselves of a great Advantage, by rejecting almost all Narratives as languishing, and putting the most simple and most cruel Things equally into Dialogue and Action.
1820 Etonian (1824) No. 2. I. 163 A young star of fashion was moving towards her with a languishing step.
1938 Musical Times May 346/2 All the onlookers, who titter and imitate his languishing gait.
2002 J. Shiffman in J. D. Montgomery & N. Glazer Sovereignty under Challenge ii. vi. 150 The languishing pace of North Korea notwithstanding, by November 1999 the WHO had accredited [etc.].
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.c1384adj.a1325