v. 1 tr. & intr. make or become smaller or less. 2 tr. lessen the reputation or influence of (a person). law of diminishing returns Econ. the fact that the increase of expenditure, investment, taxation, etc., beyond a certain point ceases to produce a proportionate yield. diminishable adj.
[ ME, blending of earlier minish f. OF menusier (formed as MINCE) and diminue f. OF diminuer f. L diminuere diminut- break up small ]