diminution

American  

[dim-uh-noo-shuhn, -nyoo-] / ˌdɪm əˈnu ʃən, -ˈnyu- /

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.

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diminution British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• prediminution noun

Etymology

Origin of diminution

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

Example Sentences

“That would still be the case if there was some diminution in this number over time because of Google’s strategy,” they wrote.

From Barron's

Investors more often than not fail to appreciate Aghion’s insight, since the diminution in future economic growth that results from protectionism only manifests itself over the longer term.

From MarketWatch

He believes that the discovery of even simple alien life would be the latest chapter in the diminution of humanity's place in the cosmos.

From BBC

In other words, what has been agreed is a fragile step towards some diminution of the fighting in Ukraine but with no guarantee of success amid an atmosphere of mutual distrust.

From BBC

“Those cities have not seen diminution of visitors due to the size of the levy. When we are seeing equivalents elsewhere, it is going to be marginal in terms of price disruption.”

From BBC

Related Words

• weakening