was used (a) to signify "to quench a fire," and in the Passive Voice, of the "dying out of a fire;" hence (b) in various relations, in the Active Voice, "to quench, waste, wear out;" in the Passive, "to waste away," James 1:11 , of the "fading" away of a rich man, as illustrated by the flower of the field. In the Sept., Job 15:30; 24:24 .
"unfading" (a, negative, and A, above), whence the "amaranth," an unfading flower, a symbol of perpetuity (see Paradise Lost, iii. 353), is used in 1 Peter 1:4 of the believer's inheritance, "that fadeth not away." It is found in various writings in the language of the Koine, e.g., on a gladiator's tomb; and as a proper name (Moulton and Milligan, Vocab.).
primarily signifies "composed of amaranth" (see No. 1); hence, "unfading," 1 Peter 5:4 , of the crown of glory promised to faithful elders. Cp. rhodinos, "made of roses" (rhodon, "a rose").