Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Dwindled"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Dwindle \Dwin"dle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dwindled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Dwindling}.] [From OE. dwinen to languish, waste away,
AS. dw[=i]nan; akin to LG. dwinen, D. dwijnen to vanish,
Icel. dv[=i]na to cease, dwindle, Sw. tvina; of uncertain
origin. The suffix -le, preceded by d excrescent after n, is
added to the root with a diminutive force.]
To diminish; to become less; to shrink; to waste or consume
away; to become degenerate; to fall away.
Weary sennights nine times nine Shall he dwindle, peak
and pine. --Shak.
Religious societies, though begun with excellent
intentions, are said to have dwindled into factious
clubs. --Swift.
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