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diminishing |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Diminish \Di*min"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Diminished}; p. pr & vb n. {Diminishing}.] [Pref. di- (= L. dis-) + minish: cf L. diminuere F. diminuer OE diminuen. See {Dis-}, and {Minish}.] 1. To make smaller in any manner; to reduce in bulk or amount; to lessen; -- opposed to {augment} or {increase}. Not diminish, but rather increase, the debt. --Barrow. 2. To lessen the authority or dignity of to put down to degrade; to abase; to weaken. This doth nothing diminish their opinion. --Robynson (More's Utopia). I will diminish them that they shall no more rule over the nations. --Ezek. xxix. 15. O thou . . . at whose sight all the stars Hide their diminished heads. --Milton. 3. (Mus.) To make smaller by a half step; to make (an interval) less than minor; as a diminished seventh 4. To take away to subtract. Neither shall ye diminish aught from it --Deut. iv 2. {Diminished column}, one whose upper diameter is less than the lower. {Diminished}, or {Diminishing}, {scale}, a scale of gradation used in finding the different points for drawing the spiral curve of the volute. --Gwilt. {Diminishing rule} (Arch.), a board cut with a concave edge, for fixing the entasis and curvature of a shaft. {Diminishing stile} (Arch.), a stile which is narrower in one part than in another, as in many glazed doors. Syn: To decrease; lessen; abate; reduce; contract; curtail; impair; degrade. See {Decrease}. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: diminishing adj : becoming smaller or less or appearing to do so "diminishing returns"; "his diminishing respect for her"
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