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languish

Verb
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

To suffer from being forced to remain in an unpleasant situation.

Detailed Definition
Languish means to become weak or feeble, often due to prolonged suffering or distress. In the context of the poem, it conveys a sense of emotional suffering that the speaker is willing to endure for love. The word evokes a deep sense of longing and vulnerability, which is central to the poem's themes of devotion and sacrifice.
Example
Example in poetry:
Bid me weep, and I will weep, While I have eyes to see: And having none, yet I will keep A heart to weep for thee. Bid me despair, and I'll despair, Under that cypress tree: Or bid me die, and I will dare E'en death, to die for thee.
Additional Notes
Languish is not commonly used in everyday conversation and may confuse readers unfamiliar with its emotional connotations, as seen in the line "Or bid it languish quite away."; Found in the poem, To Anthea, who may command him anything by Robert Herrick
Also Known As
Wane Deteriorate Suffer ail
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