minish

American  

[min-ish] / ˈmɪn ɪʃ /

verb (used with or without object)

Archaic.

1. to diminish or lessen.

---

Usage

What does minish mean? Minish means the same thing as diminish—to make or become smaller, fewer, or less. Minish is considered archaic, which means it was once in regular usage but is now largely unused. Example: Our forces have minished, and we must draw back.

Etymology

Origin of minish

1300–50; late Middle English, variant (assimilated to -ish ² ) of menuse < Middle French menu ( i ) sier < Vulgar Latin *minūtiāre to lessen. See minute ², mince

Example Sentences

Nor by prolonging life Take we the least away from death's own time, Nor can we pluck one moment off, whereby To minish the aeons of our state of death.

From On the Nature of Things by Leonard, William Ellery

But primal germs in bringing things to birth Must have a latent, unseen quality, Lest some outstanding alien element Confuse and minish in the thing create Its proper being.

From On the Nature of Things by Leonard, William Ellery

O Princess of fair ones, think not that I brought thee hither hither to minish thy honour.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 13 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir

But as for her she neither refuseth the hated bridal, nor hath the heart to make an end: so they devour and minish my house, and ere long will they make havoc likewise of myself.'

From The Odyssey Done into English prose by Lang, Andrew

But as for her she neither refuseth the hated bridal, nor hath the heart to make and end; so they devour and minish my house; and ere long will they make havoc likewise of myself.

From The Odyssey Done into English prose by Lang, Andrew