/ dɪˌmɪnjuˈendəʊ; NAmE -doʊ/ noun
( pl. -os ) [ C , U ] ( music ) a gradual decrease in how loudly a piece of music is played or sung
OPP crescendo
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WORD ORIGIN
Italian , literally diminishing , from diminuire , from Latin deminuere lessen, from minuere make small.