Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WANE, v.i. [Sax. wanian, to fail, fall off or decrease.]

1. To be diminished; to decrease; particularly applied to the illuminated part of the moon. We say, the moon wanes, that is, the visible or illuminated part decreases. Waning moons their settled periods keep. – Addison.
2. To decline; to fail; to sink; as, the waning age of life. You saw but sorrow in its waning form. – Dryden. Land and trade ever will wax and wane together. – Child.