catflap.org Online Dictionary Query


Query string:
Search type:
Database:

Database copyright information
Server information


2 definitions found
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 :   [ gcide ]

  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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Not diminish, but rather increase, the debt.
                                                    --Barrow.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to
        degrade; to abase; to weaken.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              This doth nothing diminish their opinion. --Robynson
                                                    (More's
                                                    Utopia).
        [1913 Webster]
  
              I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule
              over the nations.                     --Ezek. xxix.
                                                    15.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              O thou . . . at whose sight all the stars
              Hide their diminished heads.          --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Mus.) To make smaller by a half step; to make (an
        interval) less than minor; as, a diminished seventh.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. To take away; to subtract.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Neither shall ye diminish aught from it. --Deut. iv.
                                                    2.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Diminished column, one whose upper diameter is less than
        the lower.
  
     Diminished scale, 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.
          [1913 Webster]

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.

Questions or comments about this site? Contact dictionary@catflap.org
Access Stats