wasting

Everyday

1. Wasting means using something for nothing or losing it, like wasting time, water, food or money. tree →
2. Wasting also means using more than you need. tree →
3. A wasting illness makes the body grow thin and weak. tree →

In the lessons

In maths: time, water or money lost, often at a rate: lost = rate × time; taken away from what is useful. In science and caring for the planet: a dripping tap is wasting water; lights left on are wasting energy. Phrases: wasting time, wasting water, wasting your breath (talking for nothing), stop wasting.

Examples

• A dripping tap is wasting 2 litres an hour. tree →
• He is wasting 15 minutes a day. tree →
• How much water is it wasting in a day? tree →
• Stop wasting your money. tree →
• Leaving the lights on is wasting electricity. tree →
• We are wasting time; let us start. tree →
• Throwing away good food is wasting it. tree →
• You are wasting your breath; he is not listening. tree →

Note

Spelt with «st»: wasting. Homophone trap: «waist» is part of the body. A loss, often at a rate: lost = rate × time. Taken away from the total. Trap: «2 litres an hour» over a day is 2 × 24.

In Jewish tradition

In Deuteronomy, a bodily sickness of hunger and disease, one of the punishments if Israel turns from God.

Interpretation. It belongs to Moses' song warning of what comes if the people forget God.

Examples

• The wasting of hunger, and the devouring of the fiery bolt, and bitter destruction; and the teeth of beasts will I send upon them, with the venom of crawling things of the dust. (Torah DEU.32.24, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelt with «st»: wasting. Homophone trap: «waist» is part of the body. A loss, often at a rate: lost = rate × time. Taken away from the total. Trap: «2 litres an hour» over a day is 2 × 24.