diminish

[dih-min-ish]

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verb (used with object)

to make or cause to seem smaller, less, less important, etc.; lessen; reduce.

Architecture. to give (a column) a form tapering inward from bottom to top.

Music. to make (an interval) smaller by a chromatic half step than the corresponding perfect or minor interval.

to detract from the authority, honor, stature, or reputation of; disparage.

verb (used without object)

to lessen; decrease.

Origin of diminish

1400–50; late Middle English; blend of diminuen (< Anglo-French diminuer < Medieval Latin dīminuere for Latin dēminuere to make smaller) and minishen minish

Related formsdi·min·ish·a·ble, adjectivedi·min·ish·ment, nounnon·di·min·ish·ing, adjectivepre·di·min·ish, verb (used with object)pre·di·min·ish·ment, nounun·di·min·ish·a·ble, adjectiveun·di·min·ish·a·ble·ness, nounun·di·min·ish·a·bly, adverbun·di·min·ished, adjectiveun·di·min·ish·ing, adjective

Synonym study

5. See decrease.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for diminishment

depreciation, diminution, extenuation, attenuation, declination, regression, diminuendo, retrenchment

Examples from the Web for diminishment

Contemporary Examples of diminishment

Chekhov has talked about this, that any designation besides writer (Russian writer, whatever) was a diminishment.
Ron Rash: How I Write
Noah Charney
February 27, 2013
Does that increasing skill set make up for the diminishment of a rags-to-riches mythology?
American Idol at a Crossroads
Richard Rushfield
January 11, 2010

Historical Examples of diminishment

For an instant there was no diminishment of the pace; then the horses head came down, and Jacks feet again touched earth.
Weatherby's Inning
Ralph Henry Barbour
Its population suffered some diminishment in the next two years in spite of its position on the main highway of trade.
A Man for the Ages
Irving Bacheller
Although the light was decreasing, I could perceive no diminishment in the apparent speed of the sun.
The House on the Borderland
William Hope Hodgson
Not that this diminishment of her handwriting in any sense lessened the effect upon me of the sentiments it conveyed.
Memoirs of a Midget
Walter de la Mare

British Dictionary definitions for diminishment

diminish

verb

to make or become smaller, fewer, or less

(tr) architect to cause (a column, etc) to taper

(tr) music to decrease (a minor or perfect interval) by a semitone

to belittle or be belittled; reduce in authority, status, etc; depreciate

Derived Formsdiminishable, adjectivediminishingly, adverbdiminishment, noun

Word Origin for diminish

C15: blend of diminuen to lessen (from Latin dēminuere to make smaller, from minuere to reduce) + archaic minish to lessen

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

Word Origin and History for diminishment

diminish

early 15c., from merger of two obsolete verbs, diminue and minish. Diminue is from Old French diminuer "make small," from Latin diminuere "break into small pieces," variant of deminuere "lessen, diminish," from de- "completely" + minuere "make small" (see minus).

Minish is from Old French menuisier, from Latin minuere. Related: Diminished; diminishes; diminishing.