Pining away is a common phrase used to describe someone who is wasting away due to love, longing, or illness. The spelling of "pining" uses the IPA phonetic transcription /ˈpaɪnɪŋ/, where the "p" is pronounced with a puff of air, the "i" is pronounced like the "eye" sound, the "n" is pronounced with the tongue touching the roof of the mouth, and the "g" is pronounced with a throaty sound. The "away" part is pronounced as /əˈweɪ/, with a schwa sound for the first syllable and a long "a" sound for the second.
Pining away refers to a state of intense longing or desire often accompanied by sorrow, melancholy, or yearning. This phrase is typically used to depict an individual emotionally or physically wasting away due to unrequited love, extreme desire, or unfulfilled ambitions.
The term "pining" derives from the verb "pine," which means to suffer or become weakened due to distress or a deep longing. When someone is experiencing pining away, they may become consumed by their longing or unfulfilled desires, leading to a decline in physical or mental well-being. The person may lose appetite, sleep, or interest in activities they previously enjoyed, exhibiting symptoms of depression or despair.
Pining away can stem from various causes, such as an unattainable love interest, missing a loved one, or yearning for a dream or goal that seems out of reach. It is often characterized by a sense of emptiness and a constant preoccupation with what is desired but cannot be attained.
This phrase has also been used metaphorically to depict someone wasting away figuratively, such as a person's potential or talents diminishing due to lack of nurturing or opportunity. "Pining away" ultimately conveys the deep emotional and psychological toll that unfulfilled longing or desires can have on an individual, leading to a visible decline in their overall well-being.
The phrase "pining away" has origins in the Old English language. The term "pining" comes from the Old English verb "pinian", which means "to torture, torment, or inflict suffering". This verb is related to words like "punish" and "pain". Over time, "pinian" developed into the Middle English term "pinen", which took on the meaning "to suffer, waste away, or feel sorrow".
The association with "away" in the phrase further emphasizes the notion of gradual deterioration or wasting. Together, "pining away" refers to a state of intense longing, sorrow, or melancholy that leads to physical or emotional decline.