minish

[ min-ish ]

verb (used with or without object)

, Archaic.

1. to diminish or lessen.

Word History and Origins

Origin of minish¹

1300–50; late Middle English, variant (assimilated to -ish ² ) of menuse < Middle French menu ( i ) sier < Vulgar Latin *minūtiāre to lessen. See minute ², mince

Example Sentences

Short our end, and minish our pain; Let us go and never come again.

From Project Gutenberg

Among them I used to minish myself to the size of an ant and become a pioneer hewing out a pathway through virgin thickets.

From Project Gutenberg

About This Word

What does minish mean?

Minish means the same thing as diminish—to make or become smaller, fewer, or less.

Minish is considered archaic, which means it was once in regular usage but is now largely unused.

Example: Our forces have minished, and we must draw back.

Where does minish come from?

The first records of the word minish come from around the 1300s. Minish ultimately comes from the Vulgar Latin verb minūtiāre, meaning “to lessen.” The word minute (meaning “small”) is based on a related root.

The word diminish actually comes from a blend of minish and the Anglo-French-derived term diminuen, meaning “to lessen” (from Latin verb dēminuere, “to make smaller”).

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for minish?

• diminish
• lessen
• decrease
• reduce

What are some words that share a root or word element with minish? 

• minute