But man dieth, and wasteth away.
Job xiv. 10.
2. (Sporting) To procure or sustain a reduction of flesh; — said of a
jockey in preparation for a race, etc.
Waste, n. [OE. waste; cf. the kindred AS. w&?;sten, OHG. w&?;st, wuost,
G. wüste. See Waste, a. & v.]
1. The act of wasting, or the state of being wasted; a squandering;
needless destruction; useless consumption or expenditure; devastation;
loss without equivalent gain; gradual loss or decrease, by use, wear,
or decay; as, a waste of property, time, labor, words, etc. "Waste . .
. of catel and of time." Chaucer.
For all this waste of wealth loss of blood.
Milton.
He will never . . . in the way of waste, attempt us again.
Shak.
Little wastes in great establishments, constantly occurring, may defeat
the energies of a mighty capital.