Decrease and Bind

noun

• A change downward.
  • usage: "there was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsided"; "there was a sharp drop-off in sales"
  • synonyms: lessening, drop-off
• A process of becoming smaller or shorter.
  • synonyms: decrement
• The amount by which something decreases.
  • synonyms: decrement
• The act of decreasing or reducing something.
  • synonyms: diminution, reduction, step-down

verb

• Decrease in size, extent, or range.
  • usage: "The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester"; "The cabin pressure fell dramatically"; "her weight fell to under a hundred pounds"; "his voice fell to a whisper"
  • synonyms: diminish, lessen, fall
• Make smaller.
  • usage: "He decreased his staff"
  • synonyms: lessen, minify

• (v.t.) To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases one's means.
• (v.) A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease of revenue or of strength.
• (n.) To grow less, -- opposed to increase; to be diminished gradually, in size, degree, number, duration, etc. or in strength, quality or excellence; as, they days decrease in length from June to December.
• (v.) The wane of the moon.

noun

• Something that hinders as if with bonds.

verb

• Stick to firmly.
  • usage: "Will this wallpaper adhere to the wall"
  • synonyms: adhere, hold fast, bond, stick, stick to
• Create social or emotional ties.
  • usage: "The grandparents want to bond with the child"
  • synonyms: tie, attach, bond
• Make fast; tie or secure, with or as if with a rope.
  • usage: "The Chinese would bind the feet of their women"
• Wrap around with something so as to cover or enclose.
  • synonyms: bandage
• Secure with or as if with ropes.
  • usage: "tie down the prisoners"; "tie up the old newspapers and bring them to the recycling shed"
  • synonyms: tie down, tie up, truss
• Bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted.
  • usage: "He's held by a contract"; "I'll hold you by your promise"
  • synonyms: oblige, hold, obligate
• Provide with a binding.
  • usage: "bind the books in leather"
• Fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord.
  • usage: "They tied their victim to the chair"
  • synonyms: tie
• Form a chemical bond with.
  • usage: "The hydrogen binds the oxygen"
• Cause to be constipated.
  • usage: "These foods tend to constipate you"
  • synonyms: constipate

• (v.i.) To exert a binding or restraining influence.
• (v.t.) To cover, as with a bandage; to bandage or dress; -- sometimes with up; as, to bind up a wound.
• (v.t.) To prevent or restrain from customary or natural action; as, certain drugs bind the bowels.
• (v.t.) To tie or confine with a cord, band, ligature, chain, etc.; to fetter; to make fast; as, to bind grain in bundles; to bind a prisoner.
• (v.i.) To contract; to grow hard or stiff; to cohere or stick together in a mass; as, clay binds by heat.
• (n.) Any twining or climbing plant or stem, especially a hop vine; a bine.
• (v.t.) To sew or fasten together, and inclose in a cover; as, to bind a book.
• (v.t.) To protect or strengthen by a band or binding, as the edge of a carpet or garment.
• (n.) Indurated clay, when much mixed with the oxide of iron.
• (v.t.) To make fast ( a thing) about or upon something, as by tying; to encircle with something; as, to bind a belt about one; to bind a compress upon a part.
• (v.i.) To tie; to confine by any ligature.
• (n.) That which binds or ties.
• (n.) A ligature or tie for grouping notes.
• (v.i.) To be restrained from motion or from customary or natural action, as by friction.
• (v.t.) To bring (any one) under definite legal obligations; especially under the obligation of a bond or covenant.
• (v.t.) Fig.: To oblige, restrain or hold, by authority, law, duty, promise, vow, affection or other moral tie; as, to bind the conscience; to bind by kindness; bound by affection; commerce binds nations to each other.
• (v.t.) To place under legal obligation to serve; to indenture; as, to bind an apprentice; -- sometimes with out; as, bound out to service.
• (v.t.) To confine, restrain or hold by physical force or influence of any kind; as, attraction binds the planets to the sun; frost binds the earth or the streams.