I.v. inch. n. [marceo], to wither, pine away, droop, decay (not in Cic. or Cæs.).
I. Lit.: “fagus et cerrus celeriter marcescunt,” Plin. 16, 40, 79, § 218: “quae spectatissime florent, celerrime marcescunt,” id. 21, 1, 1, § 2: “calamus,” Vulg. Isa. 19, 6.—
II. Transf., to become weak, feeble, powerless, to pine or waste away, languish: “marcescens celerius nominis sui flore,” fading, Plin. 37, 9, 41, § 125: “alia genera pecorum morbo et languoribus marcescunt,” Col. 7, 7, 1: “senio vires,” Plin. 22, 22, 38, § 81: “vino,” Ov. P. 1, 5, 45: “equitem marcescere desidia,” Liv. 28, 35, 3: “marcescere otii situ,” id. 33, 45, 7: “otio,” id. 35, 35, 9: “otia per somnos,” Ov. P. 2, 9, 61: “dives,” Vulg. Jac. 1, 11.
