diminish
Use Diminish in a sentence
ɪʃ verb (used with object)
1.
to make or cause to seem smaller, less, less important, etc.; lessen; reduce.
2.
Architecture. to give (a column) a form tapering inward from bottom to top.
3.
Music. to make (an interval) smaller by a chromatic half step than the corresponding perfect or minor interval.
4.
to detract from the authority, honor, stature, or reputation of; disparage.
verb (used without object)
5.
to lessen; decrease.
00:10
Diminish
is always a great word to know.
So is bay. Does it mean:
| any of a number of similar major vertical divisions of a large interior or wall; a division of a window between a mullion and an adjoining mullion or jamb |
| the inside part of a building, considered as a whole from the point of view of artistic design or general effect and convenience |
Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English; blend of diminuen (< Anglo-French diminuer < Medieval Latin dīminuere for Latin dēminuere to make smaller) and minishen minish
1400–50; late Middle English; blend of diminuen (< Anglo-French diminuer < Medieval Latin dīminuere for Latin dēminuere to make smaller) and minishen minish
Related forms
di·min·ish·a·ble, adjective
di·min·ish·ment, noun
non·di·min·ish·ing, adjective
pre·di·min·ish, verb (used with object)
pre·di·min·ish·ment, noun
un·di·min·ish·a·ble, adjective
un·di·min·ish·a·ble·ness, noun
un·di·min·ish·a·b·ly, adverb
un·di·min·ished, adjective
un·di·min·ish·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To diminish
Collins
World English Dictionary
diminish (dɪˈmɪnɪʃ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to make or become smaller, fewer, or less |
| 2. | (tr) architect to cause (a column, etc) to taper |
| 3. | (tr) music to decrease (a minor or perfect interval) by a semitone |
| 4. | to belittle or be belittled; reduce in authority, status, etc; depreciate |
| [C15: blend of diminuen to lessen (from Latin dēminuere to make smaller, from minuere to reduce) + archaic minish to lessen] | |
| di'minishable | |
| —adj | |
| di'minishingly | |
| —adv | |
| di'minishment | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
diminish
early 15c., from merger of two obsolete verbs, diminue and minish. Diminue is from O.Fr. diminuer "make small," from L. diminuere "break into small pieces," variant of deminuere "lessen, diminish," from de- "completely" + minuere "make small," from root of minus (see
minus). Related: Diminished; diminishes; diminishing. Minish is from O.Fr. menuisier, from L. minuere.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Even the amateurish mounting job could not diminish their power.
Of course they were distracted, and of course too many competing flows of information diminish comprehension.
It says subscription declines will diminish in future quarters.
In the longer term, if the seeds deliver what the farmers require, the need for such special measures should diminish.
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