Waxing and Waning

Waxing and Waning Waxing and Waning Waxing and Waning By Maeve Maddox The most familiar use of the verbs wax and wane is in reference to the states of the moon. To wax is to grow. To wane is to diminish. The moon has four phases, also called quarters. During the first two quarters, the moon is said â€Å"to wax† as its light increases. During the third and fourth quarters, as its light decreases, the moon is said â€Å"to wane.† The verbs wax and wane are often used to describe the growing and lessening of interest in a subject: My interest  in Shakespeare has always  waxed  and waned.   Sadly, as my interest waxed, the interest of my sponsor appeared to wane. My interest  in cars  began to wane  in direct relationship to the run-up in prices. In writing and speech, the verb wax may be followed by an adjective to describe the manner in which something is being said. â€Å"To wax poetic† is to speak with enthusiasm and hyperbole on a favorite subject: A grizzled  New  Orleans bartender  waxing poetic  on  his  favorite drink, the Mint Julip, as he makes  his  last one. Apple brilliantly  waxes poetic  in  new  iPad Air ad Prabal Gurung Waxed Poetic About His Militant Women Similar in meaning is the expression â€Å"to wax lyrical†: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger talks up Jackson Martinez transfer after waxing lyrical about the Porto forward Like Spengler, they  waxed lyrical about  war and violence â€Å"as the superior form of human existence.†Ã‚   Feelings of angry disdain are expressed by the phrase â€Å"to wax indignant†: General Grant waxed indignant  at  his  fathers crass attempt to profit from  his  sons military [success]. Do not weep; do not wax indignant. Understand.- Baruch Spinoza House Speaker Robert DeLeo waxed indignant Wednesday, forcefully denying claims by federal prosecutors that he let fellow legislators fill jobs in the Probation Department in exchange for their votes for the speakership. Wax is also used in reference to less passionate states of feeling. For example, one can wax silent or sentimental: Agnes  waxed silent, pleased most with the joy of her own thoughts.   Anrion waxed silent as a couple strolled beside them, waiting until they had walked a safe distance away before asking, â€Å"Have you ever heard of Eregion?† Justice Thomas waxed sentimental about the good old days when teachers managed classrooms with an iron hand. Cobos waxed sentimental about being a country boy and announced that this was why he and his wife moved to the Upper Valley themselves. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Arrive To vs. Arrive At"Certified" and "Certificated"Phrasal Verbs and Phrasal Nouns