The Only Use of
wither
in
Hillbilly Elegy
Uses with a meaning too rare to warrant foucs:
- I wanted to be a professional puppy-player-wither, which at the time seemed eminently reasonable.
p. 54.8wither = for humorous effect (not clear to this editor how wither is being used)
Definitions:
-
(1)
(wither as in: wither on the vine) to shrivel (wrinkle and contract -- usually from lack of water)
-
(2)
(wither as in: her confidence withered) to become weaker--sometimes to get smaller and disappear
-
(3)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Much less commonly, Withers can be a last name.