wizen
UK: ˈwɪz(ə)n | US: ˈwɪzən
adj. shriveled or dried up, especially with age
vi. to become dry, shrunken, or withered
wizen = wiz<withered> + en<verb suffix>
- wiz: Derived from Old English wisnian ("to wither"), related to wīs ("dry, withered").
- en: A verb-forming suffix in Old English, indicating a state or process.
Etymology Origin:
The word wizen traces back to Old English wisnian, meaning "to wither or dry up." It reflects the natural process of aging or desiccation, often applied to plants or human features (e.g., skin). The suffix -en reinforces the verbal action, creating a vivid image of gradual shriveling. Over time, wizen evolved to describe both the process and the resulting withered state.
The old man's wizen face told a story of decades under the sun.
Apples left too long on the branch will wizen and shrink.
Her hands, once smooth, had grown wizen with age.
The drought caused the crops to wizen prematurely.
A wizen leaf crumbled to dust at my touch.