də̇ˈminish, -nēsh, esp in pres part -nəsh verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English deminishen, alteration (influenced by Middle English menusen, minishen to lessen) of diminuen, from Middle French diminuer, from Latin diminuere, from di- (from dis- apart) + minuere to lessen — more at dis- , minish , minor
transitive verb
1. : to make less or cause to appear less : reduce in size, number, or degree
losses and desertions sharply diminished the forces at Washington's disposal
a tiny figure, rather stooped and diminished by constant ill health — May Sarton
the passing years did not diminish their friendship
2. obsolete : to take away or subtract
3. : to lessen the authority, dignity, importance, or reputation of
his society destroyed, his country defeated, his emperor diminished — W.M.Hitzig
: detract from : disparage , belittle
began to diminish the skill of the local skaters — S.H.Adams
4. architecture : to cause to taper
a diminished column
intransitive verb
1. : to become less : dwindle
his form … diminished to a speck on the road — Thomas Hardy
his interest in the subject had steadily diminished
2. architecture : taper
a curious tower diminishing in five stages to an octagonal cupola
Synonyms: see decrease