Waning

wane  (wn)

intr.v. waned, wan·ing, wanes

1. To decrease gradually in size, amount, intensity, or degree; decline.

2. To exhibit a decreasing illuminated area from full moon to new moon.

3. To approach an end.

n.

1. The act or process of gradually declining or diminishing.

2.

a. A time or phase of gradual decrease.

b. The period of the decrease of the moon's illuminated visible surface.

3. A defective edge of a board caused by remaining bark or a beveled end.

Idiom:

on the wane

In a period of decline or decrease: "The tide was near the turn and already the day was on the wane" James Joyce.

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[Middle English wanen, from Old English wanian; see eu- in Indo-European roots.]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	waning - a gradual decrease in magnitude or extent; "the waning of his enthusiasm was obvious"; "the waxing and waning of the moon" decrease, lessening, drop-off - a change downward; "there was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsided"; "there was a sharp drop-off in sales" waxing - a gradual increase in magnitude or extent; "the waxing of the moon"
Adj.	1.	waning - (of the Moon) pertaining to the period during which the visible surface of the moon decreases; "after full moon comes the waning moon" waxing - (of the moon) pertaining to the period during which the visible surface of the moon increases; "the waxing moon passes from new to full"