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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary di·min·ish ETYMOLOGY Middle English deminishen, alteration of diminuen,from Anglo-French diminuer, from Late Latin diminuere, alteration of Latin deminuere, from de- + minuere to lessen — more at minor DATE 15th century transitive verb 1. to make less or cause to appear less diminish an army's strength 2. to lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of : belittle diminish a rival's accomplishments 3. to cause to taper intransitive verb 1. to become gradually less (as in size or importance) : dwindle 2. taper Synonyms: see decrease English Etymology 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 http://O.Fr O.Fr . menuisier, from L.minuere.http://O.Fr Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 diminish di·min·ish / di5miniF / verb1. to become or to make sth become smaller, weaker, etc. 减少；(使)减弱,缩减；降低 SYN decrease :
▪ [V] The world's resources are rapidly diminishing. 世界资源正在迅速减少。 His influence has diminished with time. 随着时间的推移,他的影响已不如从前了。 Our efforts were producing diminishing returns (= we achieved less although we spent more time or money). 我们不断投入,收益却在递减。 ▪ [also VN] 2. [VN] to make sb / sth seem less important than they really are 贬低；贬损；轻视 SYN belittle :
I don't wish to diminish the importance of their contribution. 我并不想贬低他们所作贡献的重要性。 Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus-11th Edition v. Function: verb 1 Synonyms: ABRIDGE 1, curtail, lessen, minify 2 Synonyms: DECREASE , abate, ||bate, close, drain (away), dwindle, lessen, reduce, taper, taper off Related Words: ebb, subside, wane; moderate, temper; attenuate, extenuate Contrasted Words: aggravate, enhance, heighten, intensify 3 Synonyms: DECRY 2, abuse, belittle, depreciate, derogate, detract (from), disparage, dispraise, minimize, write offWebster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged di·min·ish \də̇ˈminish, -nēsh, esp in pres part -nəsh\ verb (-ed/-ing/-es) Etymology: Middle English deminishen, alteration (influenced by Middle English menusen, minishen to lessen) of diminuen, from Middle French diminuer, from Latin diminuere, from di- (from dis- apart) + minuere to lessen — more at dis- , minish , minor transitive verb 1. : to make less or cause to appear less : reduce in size, number, or degree < losses and desertions sharply diminished the forces at Washington's disposal > < a tiny figure, rather stooped and diminished by constant ill health — May Sarton > < the passing years did not diminish their friendship > 2. obsolete : to take away or subtract 3. : to lessen the authority, dignity, importance, or reputation of < his society destroyed, his country defeated, his emperor diminished — W.M.Hitzig > : detract from : disparage , belittle < began to diminish the skill of the local skaters — S.H.Adams > 4. architecture : to cause to taper < a diminished column > intransitive verb 1. : to become less : dwindle < his form … diminished to a speck on the road — Thomas Hardy > < his interest in the subject had steadily diminished > 2. architecture : taper < a curious tower diminishing in five stages to an octagonal cupola > Synonyms: see decrease |
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