decrement

[ dek-ruh-muh nt ]

/ ˈdɛk rə mənt /

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.

Words nearby decrement

decree, decree absolute, decree nisi, decree-law, decreet, decrement, decremeter, decreolize, decrepit, decrepitate, decrepitude

Origin of decrement

1475–85; < Latin dēcrēmentum, equivalent to dēcrē(tus) (see decrease) + -mentum -ment

OTHER WORDS FROM decrement

dec·re·men·tal

[dek-ruh-men-tl] /ˌdɛk rəˈmɛn tl/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for decremental

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

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