diminution

[ dim-uh-noo-shuhn, -nyoo- ]
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noun
  1. the act, fact, or process of diminishing; lessening; reduction.

  2. Music. the repetition or imitation of a subject or theme in notes of shorter duration than those first used.

Origin of diminution

1
1275–1325; Middle English diminucion<Anglo-French diminuciun<Latin dīminūtiōn- (stem of dīminūtiō), for dēminūtiōn- (stem of dēminūtiō) (by influence of dīmunuere;see diminish), equivalent to dēminūt(us) (past participle of dēminuere, equivalent to dē-de- + minuere to lessen) + -iōn--ion

Other words from diminution

  • pre·dim·i·nu·tion, noun

Words Nearby diminution

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How to use diminution in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for diminution

diminution

/ (ˌdɪmɪˈnjuːʃən) /


noun
  1. reduction; decrease

  2. music the presentation of the subject of a fugue, etc, in which the note values are reduced in length: Compare augmentation (def. 3)

Origin of diminution

1
C14: from Latin dēminūtiō; see diminish

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