Both Uses of
atrophy
in
The House of Mirth
- The fibres of sympathy were nearly atrophied in him, but he was suffering so intensely that he had a faint glimpse of what other sufferings might mean—and, as she perceived, an almost simultaneous perception of the way in which her particular misfortunes might serve him.†
Chpt 2.6 *
- It was this moment of love, this fleeting victory over themselves, which had kept them from atrophy and extinction; which, in her, had reached out to him in every struggle against the influence of her surroundings, and in him, had kept alive the faith that now drew him penitent and reconciled to her side.†
Chpt 2.14
Definition:
-
(atrophy) to wither or weaken -- especially from lack of use