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wannest

 - 3 dictionary results

wan

1  [won] adjective, wan⋅ner, wan⋅nest, verb, wanned, wan⋅ning.
Use wannest in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of an unnatural or sickly pallor; pallid; lacking color: His wan face suddenly flushed.
2. showing or suggesting ill health, fatigue, unhappiness, etc.: a wan look; a wan smile.
3. lacking in forcefulness, competence, or effectiveness: their wan attempts to organize the alumni.
4. Archaic.
a. dark or gloomy.
b. pale in color or hue.
–verb (used without object), verb (used with object)
5. to become or make wan.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME; OE wann dark, gloomy

Related forms:
wanly, adverb
wanness, noun

Synonyms:
1. ashen. See pale 1 . 3. feeble, weak, half-hearted, lame.

Antonyms:
1. ruddy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To wannest
wan   (wŏn)   
adj.   wan·ner, wan·nest

  1. Unnaturally pale, as from physical or emotional distress.

  2. Suggestive or indicative of weariness, illness, or unhappiness; melancholy: a wan expression.

intr.v.   wanned, wan·ning, wans
To become pale.

[Middle English, pale, gloomy, from Old English wann, gloomy, dark.]
wan'ly adv., wan'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

wan 
O.E. wann "dark, lacking luster," later "leaden, pale, gray," of uncertain origin, and not found in other Gmc. languages. The connecting notion is colorlessness. Perhaps related to wane.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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