diminish
pronunciation
How to pronounce diminish in British English:
UK [dɪˈmɪnɪʃ]
How to pronounce diminish in American English:
US [dɪˈmɪnɪʃ]
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- Verb:
- decrease in size, extent, or range
- lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of
Word Origin
- diminish
- diminish: [15] Diminish is a hybrid verb, the result of a marriage between the now obsolete diminue [14] and the virtually obsolete minish [14], both of which meant ‘make smaller’. Diminue came via Old French diminuer from Latin dīminuere ‘break into small pieces’; it was a compound verb formed from the prefix dē- ‘from’ and minuere ‘lessen’ (source of English minute). Minish came via Old French menuiser from Vulgar Latin *minūtiāre, a derivative of Latin minūtus ‘small’; this, bringing the history of diminish full circle, was an adjectival use of the past participle of minuere.=> minute
- diminish (v.)
- early 15c., from merger of two obsolete verbs, diminue and minish. Diminue is from Old French diminuer "make small," from Latin diminuere "break into small pieces," variant of deminuere "lessen, diminish," from de- "completely" + minuere "make small" (see minus). Minish is from Old French menuisier, from Latin minuere. Related: Diminished; diminishes; diminishing.
Example
- 1. This should help diminish the influence of trolls somewhat .
- 2. The party vowed to diminish the power of the bureaucrats .
- 3. Second and most important , the structural current account deficit has to diminish .
- 4. Focusing on your spouse 's weakness rather than building on their strengths will only increase their weakness and diminish their strength .
- 5. This could seriously diminish the chances of a significant deficit reduction deal to be reached over the next two weeks .