intransitive verb waned, waning wan′·ing

1. to grow gradually less in extent: said esp. of the visible face of the moon during the phases after full moon in which the lighted portion is gradually reduced to a thin crescent on the left, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere
2. to become less intense, bright, strong, etc.; grow dim or faint, as a light
3. to decline in power, importance, prosperity, influence, etc.
4. to approach the end: said of a period of time the day wanes

Etymology: ME wanien < OE wanian, to decrease, grow less, akin to wan, lacking: for IE base see want

noun

1. 1. the gradual decrease in the visible face of the moon after it has become full
   2. the time when this takes place
2. a gradual decrease in power, importance, intensity, etc., esp. after a gradual climb to a peak
3. a period of decline
4. the beveled, defective, bark-covered edge or corner of a board or plank cut from an unsquared log or block of wood