Search Result for "lessening": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (1)

1. a change downward;
- Example: "there was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsided"
- Example: "there was a sharp drop-off in sales"
[syn: decrease, lessening, drop-off]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Lessen \Less"en\ (l[e^]s"'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lessened
   (-'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Lessening.] [From Less, a.]
   To make less; to reduce; to make smaller, or fewer; to
   diminish; to lower; to degrade; as, to lessen a kingdom, or a
   population; to lessen speed, rank, fortune.
   [1913 Webster]

         Charity . . . shall lessen his punishment. --Calamy.
   [1913 Webster]

         St. Paul chose to magnify his office when ill men
         conspired to lessen it.                  --Atterbury.

   Syn: To diminish; reduce; abate; decrease; lower; impair;
        weaken; degrade.
        [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

lessening \lessening\ adj.
   becoming less in dimension or degree; as, the lessening
   distance between us.
   [WordNet 1.5]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

lessening \lessening\ n.
   a change downward; a decrease; a reduction.

   Syn: decrease, drop-off.
        [WordNet 1.5]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

lessening
    n 1: a change downward; "there was a decrease in his temperature
         as the fever subsided"; "there was a sharp drop-off in
         sales" [syn: decrease, lessening, drop-off] [ant:
         increase]