Decrease and Diminution

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

• Change toward something smaller or lower.
  • synonyms: decline
• The statement of a theme in notes of lesser duration (usually half the length of the original. )
• The act of decreasing or reducing something.
  • synonyms: decrease, reduction, step-down

• (n.) Omission, inaccuracy or defect in a record.
• (n.) In counterpoint, the imitation of or reply to, a subject, in notes of half the length or value of those the subject itself.
• (n.) The act of lessening dignity or consideration or the state of being deprived of dignity; a lowering in estimation; degradation; abasement.
• (n.) The act of diminishing or of making or becoming less; state of being diminished; reduction in size, quantity or degree; -- opposed to augmentation or increase.