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diminution

 - 3 dictionary results

dim⋅i⋅nu⋅tion

  [dim-uh-noo-shuhn, -nyoo-]
–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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Origin:
1275–1325; ME diminucion < AF diminuciun < L dīminūtiōn- (s. of dīminūtiō), for dēminūtiōn- (s. of dēminūtiō) (by influence of dīmunuere; see diminish ), equiv. to dēminūt(us) (ptp. of dēminuere, equiv. to dē- de- + minuere to lessen) + -iōn- -ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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dim·i·nu·tion   (dĭm'ə-nōō'shən, -nyōō'-)   
n.  

    1. The act or process of diminishing; a lessening or reduction.

    2. The resulting reduction; decrease.

  2. Music Statement of a theme in notes of lesser duration, usually one-half, of the original.


[Middle English diminucioun, from Old French diminution, from Latin dīminūtiō, dīminūtiōn-, from dīminūtus, past participle of dīminuere; see diminish.]
dim'i·nu'tion·al adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: dim·i·nu·tion
Pronunciation: "di-m&-'nü-sh&n, -'nyü-
Function: noun
: the act, process, or an instance of making less diminution of a judge's compensation —U.S. Code>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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