diminish
VerbWordNet 3.0
Verb (2)
- decrease in size, extent, or range“The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester”“The cabin pressure fell dramatically”“her weight fell to under a hundred pounds”“his voice fell to a whisper”Synonyms: decreaselessenfall
- lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of“don't belittle your colleagues”Synonyms: belittle
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
1.To make smaller in any manner; to reduce in bulk or amount; to lessen; -- opposed to augment or increase. [1913 Webster]
Not diminish, but rather increase, the debt.— Barrow.[1913 Webster]
2.To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken. [1913 Webster]
This doth nothing diminish their opinion.— Robynson (More's Utopia).[1913 Webster]
I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations.— Ezek. xxix. 15.[1913 Webster]
O thou . . . at whose sight all the stars Hide their diminished heads.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
3.(Mus.) To make smaller by a half step; to make (an interval) less than minor; as, a diminished seventh. [1913 Webster]
4.To take away; to subtract. [1913 Webster]
Neither shall ye diminish aught from it.— Deut. iv. 2.[1913 Webster]
Diminished column, one whose upper diameter is less than the lower.
Diminished scale, or Diminishing scale, a scale of gradation used in finding the different points for drawing the spiral curve of the volute. --Gwilt.
Diminishing rule (Arch.), a board cut with a concave edge, for fixing the entasis and curvature of a shaft.
Diminishing stile (Arch.), a stile which is narrower in one part than in another, as in many glazed doors.
Syn: To decrease; lessen; abate; reduce; contract; curtail; impair; degrade. See Decrease. [1913 Webster]