The phrase "dwindle away" is spelled the way it sounds, with each syllable pronounced clearly. The first syllable, "dwin," is pronounced with a short i sound, like "ih," followed by a voiced consonant blend of "dw." The second syllable, "dle," is pronounced with a long e sound, like "ee," followed by an unvoiced consonant blend of "dl." The final syllable, "away," is pronounced with a long a sound, like "ei," followed by a voiced consonant blend of "w." Overall, the word is pronounced as "dwin-dl-ee-uhwey."
"Dwindle away" is a phrasal verb that refers to the gradual decrease or diminishing of something, often in terms of quantity, strength, or intensity, until it eventually disappears completely or becomes insignificant. It is commonly used to describe the gradual and continuous reduction of something over time.
This phrase is often associated with the concept of gradual decline or decay. When something dwindles away, it implies a progressive and continuous shrinking or weakening until it fades away or becomes immaterial. This can pertain to various aspects, such as the reduction of resources, the decline of a population or group, the waning of interest or enthusiasm, or the gradual disappearance of something physical or abstract.
For instance, the phrase can be applied to the dwindling away of a business or organization with decreasing profits or customers, the diminishing size of a population due to emigration or low birth rates, the fading away of hopes or dreams, or the gradual erosion of natural resources.
To summarize, "dwindle away" encompasses the idea of a gradual and continuous decrease that leads to the disappearance or irrelevance of something. It signifies a diminishing over time, often resulting in a state where the original entity cannot be recognized or considered significant.
The word "dwindle" originated from the Middle English term "dwindlen", which emerged in the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "dwīnan", meaning "to waste away" or "to diminish". This Old English word had connections to the Proto-Germanic term "dwinanan", with a similar meaning. The addition of "away" to "dwindle" simply reinforces the notion of gradual disappearance or decline.