n. The act of consuming; destruction as by decomposition, burning, eating, etc.; hence, destruction of substance; annihilation.n. Specifically Dissipation or destruction by use; in polit. ccon., the use or expenditure of the products of industry, or of anything having an exchangeable value.n. The state of being wasted or diminished.n. In medicine: A wasting away of the flesh; a gradual attenuation of the body; progressive emaciation: a word of comprehensive significationn. More specifically, a disease of the lungs accompanied by fever and emaciation, often but not invariably fatal: called technically phthisis, or phthisis pulmonaris. See phthisis and tuberculosis.n. In Roman law, loss of a right of action after commencement of the suit.