— diminishable , adj. — diminishment , n.
/di min"ish/ , v.t.
1. to make or cause to seem smaller, less, less important, etc.; lessen; reduce.
2. Archit. to give (a column) a form tapering inward from bottom to top.
3. Music. to make (an interval) smaller by a chromatic half step than the corresponding perfect or minor interval.
4. to detract from the authority, honor, stature, or reputation of; disparage.
v.i.
5. to lessen; decrease.
[ 1400-50; late ME; b. diminuen ( diminuer diminuere for L deminuere to make smaller) and minishen MINISH ]
Syn. 5. See decrease .