To gradually dry up, shrivel, or fade away; to lose strength, freshness, or life (especially of plants, but also used for people's hope or confidence).
From Middle English 'widren' or 'withren', possibly related to 'weather'. The term evolved to describe the natural decay that occurs from exposure and age.
Plants don't just wither randomly—they're sending out invisible chemical signals (like ethylene gas) as stress hormones, essentially 'giving up' on survival in harsh conditions, which is why a neglected houseplant looks so dramatically defeated.
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