diminish
[dih-min-ish]
- 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.
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- to lessen; decrease.
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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
Synonym study
5. See decrease.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
depreciationdiminutionextenuationattenuationdeclinationregressiondiminuendoretrenchmentExamples from the Web for diminishment
Contemporary Examples
Chekhov has talked about this, that any designation besides writer (Russian writer, whatever) was a diminishment.
Does that increasing skill set make up for the diminishment of a rags-to-riches mythology?
Historical Examples
For an instant there was no diminishment of the pace; then the horses head came down, and Jacks feet again touched earth.
Weatherby's InningRalph 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 AgesIrving Bacheller
Although the light was decreasing, I could perceive no diminishment in the apparent speed of the sun.
The House on the BorderlandWilliam 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 MidgetWalter de la Mare
diminish
- 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
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for diminishment
diminish
v.
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper