minish
Americanverb (used with or without object)
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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 Sir Richard Francis Burton
Ariosto sings: No doubt they are accurst and past all grace That dare to strike a damsel in the face, Or of her head to minish but a hair.
From The Age of the Reformation by Preserved Smith
But bleeding, weak with years, and tired, Beneath the demon's blows expired, Due rites at Ráma's hands obtained, And bliss that ne'er shall minish, gained.
From The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Ralph T. H. (Ralph Thomas Hotchkin) Griffith
Hark! in the minster-tower minish the joy-bells, And all men are hushed now these marvels to hear.
From Poems By The Way & Love Is Enough by William Morris
Short our end and minish our pain: Let us go, and never come again.
From A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 1 by William Carew Hazlitt
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
