menguar

to wane; to diminish

verb men-GWAHR Rare

Origin: From Latin 'minuare' (to make smaller), related to 'minor'.

Usage Note

Menguar describes a gradual decrease in size, intensity, or extent. Its most iconic use is with the moon: la luna mengua ('the moon is waning'), the opposite of crecer or estar en cuarto creciente. The verb is regular but note the gu spelling before -e forms to preserve the /gw/ sound: mengüe (subjunctive). It is also used figuratively — su entusiasmo no mengua ('his enthusiasm does not diminish').

Examples

"Las fuerzas del anciano empezaron a menguar."

Natural Translation

The old man's strength began to wane.

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