wizen

[ wiz-uhn; wee-zuhn ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to wither; shrivel; dry up.

adjective

1. wizened.

wizen

¹

/ ˈwiːzən /

noun

1. an archaic word for weasand

wizen

²

/ ˈwɪzən /

verb

1. to make or become shrivelled

adjective

1. a variant of wizened

Word History and Origins

Origin of wizen¹

before 900; (v.) Middle English wisenen, Old English wisnian; cognate with Old Norse visna to wither; (adj.) shortened form of wizened

Word History and Origins

Origin of wizen¹

Old English wisnian; related to Old Norse visna, Old High German wesanēn

Example Sentences

It would wizen up, or grow ripe, or it might rot.

From Literature

Dicky handed over the baby, whose wizen face was now relaxed in sleep, and slowly disencumbered himself of the ungainly jacket, staring at the wall in a brown study.

From Project Gutenberg

The next Merewig I had to scribble on was a wizen old lady, with little grey curls on the temples, very shabby in dress, and very antiquated in costume.

From Project Gutenberg

The voice comes through their wizen mouths like wind from the crack of an old wainscot.

From Project Gutenberg

"Do you remember a wizen, toothless old wretch, whose eye has more of the Evil One in it than that of many a young thief you see locked up in the county jails?"

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• atrophy
• decay
• deflate
• deteriorate
• disintegrate
• dry
• fade
• languish
• perish
• shrink
• shrivel
• wane
• wilt