Decrease and Buckle

decrease

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

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.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

buckle

Fastener that fastens together two ends of a belt or strap; often has loose prong.
A shape distorted by twisting or folding.
- synonyms: warp

Fasten with a buckle or buckles.
- synonyms: clasp
Fold or collapse.
- usage: "His knees buckled"
- synonyms: crumple
Bend out of shape, as under pressure or from heat.
- usage: "The highway buckled during the heat wave"
- synonyms: heave, warp

(v.i.) To yield; to give way; to cease opposing.
(v.i.) To bend out of a true vertical plane, as a wall.
(n.) A device, usually of metal, consisting of a frame with one more movable tongues or catches, used for fastening things together, as parts of dress or harness, by means of a strap passing through the frame and pierced by the tongue.
(v.i.) To enter upon some labor or contest; to join in close fight; to struggle; to contend.
(n.) To join in marriage.
(n.) A curl of hair, especially a kind of crisp curl formerly worn; also, the state of being curled.
(n.) A distortion bulge, bend or kink, as in a saw blade or a plate of sheet metal.
(n.) To bend; to cause to kink or to become distorted.
(n.) To prepare for action; to apply with vigor and earnestness; -- generally used reflexively.
(n.) A contorted expression, as of the face.
(v.i.) To bend permanently; to become distorted; to bow; to curl; to kink.
(n.) To fasten or confine with a buckle or buckles; as, to buckle a harness.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary