decrement
[ dek-ruh-muhnt ]
/ ˈdɛk rə mənt /
Save This Word!
noun
the act or process of decreasing; gradual reduction.
the amount lost by reduction.
Mathematics. a negative increment.
Physics. the ratio of amplitudes of a damped harmonic motion in the course of two successive oscillations.
QUIZ
TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS
Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”
Question 1 of 7
What does "dignity" mean?
Origin of decrement
OTHER WORDS FROM decrement
dec·re·men·tal [dek-ruh-men-tl], /ˌdɛk rəˈmɛn tl/, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
British Dictionary definitions for decrement
decrement
/ (ˈdɛkrɪmənt) /
noun
the act of decreasing; diminution
maths a negative increment
physics a measure of the damping of an oscillator, expressed by the ratio of the amplitude of a cycle to its amplitude after one period
(of spectra) a sequence of related spectrum lines decaying in intensity, e.g. Balmer decay
Word Origin for decrement
C17: from Latin dēcrēmentum, from dēcrescere to decrease
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012