I. ˈles ə n verb
( lessened ; lessened ; lessening -s( ə )niŋ ; lessens )
Etymology: Middle English lessenen, from lesse, adjective, less + -nen -en
intransitive verb
1. : to shrink in size, number, or degree : decrease
as transportation improves, distances seem to lessen
with the tightening of border restrictions, the stream of refugees lessens
the medicine begins to take effect and symptoms lessen
attacks on academic freedom seem to have lessened — F.M.Hechinger
2. archaic : to become smaller to the perception as distance increases
the white sail is lessening from thy view — Robert Southey
distant warblings lessen on my ear — Thomas Gray
transitive verb
1. : to reduce in size, extent, or degree : make smaller
lessens the chain length of the cellulose — G.S.Hotte
lessen the gap between income and outgo — E.B.George
the use of chlordane lessens beetle damage
grammatical errors … lessen the respect of the reader — Milton Hall
international conferences help to lessen tensions between nations
2.
a. archaic : minimize , mitigate , disparage
not that I endeavor to lessen … my offense — John Milton
far from wishing to lessen the merit of this … benevolent action — Junius
b. obsolete : to lower in status or dignity : degrade
the making of new lords lessens all the rest — John Selden
Synonyms: see decrease
II. conjunction
Etymology: contraction of less than, from Middle English lesse than — more at less (conjunction)
dialect : unless