Decrease and Cripple

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

• Someone who is unable to walk normally because of an injury or disability to the legs or back.

verb

• Deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless.
  • usage: "This measure crippled our efforts"; "Their behavior stultified the boss's hard work"
  • synonyms: stultify
• Deprive of the use of a limb, especially a leg.
  • usage: "The accident has crippled her for life"
  • synonyms: lame

• (v.t.) To deprive of strength, activity or capability for service or use; to disable; to deprive of resources; as, to be financially crippled.
• (v.t.) To deprive of the use of a limb, particularly of a leg or foot; to lame.
• (a.) Lame; halting.
• (n.) One who creeps, halts or limps; one who has lost or never had, the use of a limb or limbs; a lame person; hence, one who is partially disabled.
• Swampy or low wet ground, often covered with brush or with thickets; bog.
• A rocky shallow in a stream; -- a lumberman's term.