To begin to wither; to lose freshness and become flaccid, as a plant when exposed to great heat in a dry day, or when first separated from its root. This is a legitimate word, for which there is no substitute in the language. It is not synonymous with wither, as it expresses only the beginning of withering. A wilted plant often revives and becomes fresh; not so a withered plant.

To cause to begin to wither; to make flaccid; as a green plant.

To cause to languish; to depress or destroy the vigor and energy of. Despots have wilted the human race into’ sloth and imbecility.