0 past simple and past participle of languish
1 to exist in an unpleasant or unwanted situation, often for a long time:
This 'hard core' kept their mouths closed, and languished for years in detention.
The urban areas languished, however, with rising prices and limited employment opportunities stirring discontent.
Despite these significant contributions, he has languished in obscurity.
There is no doubt that in the absence of media support, the student frame would have languished indefinitely in relative obscurity.
They languished in prison, a few escaped, some died, but none were required to face the court.
The bill languished in the chamber until 1924, when it passed.
The aggregate of his advisors' views lent little enthusiasm to the administration's proposals, and in the absence of presidential involvement the issue languished.
Tens of thousands of arrested people have languished in the cells for years on end.
