decrement
[ dek-ruh-muhnt ]
/ ˈdɛk rə mənt /
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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.
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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. 2021
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
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