măcesco, ĕre, v. inch. n. [maceo], to grow lean or thin, to become meagre (anteand post-Aug.): (apes) propter laborem asperantur et macescunt, Varr. R. R. 3, 16; 1, 55, 1: constat, arva segetibus ejus (hordei) macescere, become poor, Col. 2, 9, 14: feminis bubus demitur (cibus), quod macescentes melius concipere dicuntur, Varr. R. R. 2, 1, 17: tuo maerore maceror, Macesco, consenesco et tabesco miser, Plaut. Capt. 1, 2, 31.