Decrease and Faint

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

faint

A spontaneous loss of consciousness caused by insufficient blood to the brain.
- synonyms: swoon, syncope, deliquium

Pass out from weakness, physical or emotional distress due to a loss of blood supply to the brain.
- synonyms: conk, swoon, pass out

Deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc.
- usage: "a faint outline"; "the wan sun cast faint shadows"; "the faint light of a distant candle"; "weak colors"; "a faint hissing sound"; "a faint aroma"; "a weak pulse"
- synonyms: weak
Lacking clarity or distinctness.
- usage: "a dim figure in the distance"; "only a faint recollection"; "shadowy figures in the gloom"; "saw a vague outline of a building through the fog"; "a few wispy memories of childhood"
- synonyms: dim, shadowy, vague, wispy
Lacking strength or vigor.
- usage: "damning with faint praise"; "faint resistance"; "feeble efforts"; "a feeble voice"
- synonyms: feeble
Weak and likely to lose consciousness.
- usage: "suddenly felt faint from the pain"; "was sick and faint from hunger"; "felt light in the head"; "a swooning fit"; "light-headed with wine"; "light-headed from lack of sleep"
- synonyms: light, swooning, light-headed, lightheaded
Indistinctly understood or felt or perceived.
- usage: "a faint clue to the origin of the mystery"; "haven't the faintest idea"
Lacking conviction or boldness or courage.
- usage: "faint heart ne'er won fair lady"
- synonyms: fainthearted, timid, faint-hearted

(superl.) Performed, done or acted, in a weak or feeble manner; not exhibiting vigor, strength or energy; slight; as, faint efforts; faint resistance.
(superl.) Lacking distinctness; hardly perceptible; striking the senses feebly; not bright or loud or sharp or forcible; weak; as, a faint color or sound.
(n.) To sink into dejection; to lose courage or spirit; to become depressed or despondent.
(n.) The act of fainting or the state of one who has fainted; a swoon. [R.] See Fainting, n.
(superl.) Lacking strength; weak; languid; inclined to swoon; as, faint with fatigue, hunger or thirst.
(superl.) Wanting in courage, spirit or energy; timorous; cowardly; dejected; depressed; as, "Faint heart ne'er won fair lady.".
(n.) To decay; to disappear; to vanish.
(v.i.) To become weak or wanting in vigor; to grow feeble; to lose strength and color, and the control of the bodily or mental functions; to swoon; -- sometimes with away. See Fainting, n.
(v.t.) To cause to faint or become dispirited; to depress; to weaken.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary