v.
Pronunciation: d ə - ' mi-nish
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English deminishen, alteration of diminuen, from Anglo-French diminuer, from Late Latin diminuere, alteration of Latin deminuere, from de- + minuere to lessen ― more at MINOR
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1 : to make less or cause to appear less < diminish an army's strength>
2 : to lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of : BELITTLE < diminish a rival's accomplishments>
3 : to cause to taper
intransitive verb
1 : to become gradually less (as in size or importance) : DWINDLE
2 : TAPER
synonyms see DECREASE
– di · min · ish · able \ -ni-sh ə -b ə l \ adjective
– di · min · ish · ment \ -m ə nt \ noun