Decrease and Muzzle

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

• The open circular discharging end of a gun.
  • synonyms: gun muzzle
• Forward projecting part of the head of certain animals; includes the jaws and nose.
• A leather or wire restraint that fits over an animal's snout (especially a dog's nose and jaws) and prevents it from eating or biting.
• Restraint put into a person's mouth to prevent speaking or shouting.
  • synonyms: gag

verb

• Fit with a muzzle.
  • usage: "muzzle the dog to prevent it from biting strangers"
• Prevent from speaking out.
  • usage: "The press was gagged"
  • synonyms: gag
• Tie a gag around someone's mouth in order to silence them.
  • usage: "The burglars gagged the home owner and tied him to a chair"
  • synonyms: gag

• (v.i.) The mouth of a thing; the end for entrance or discharge; as, the muzzle of a gun.
• (v.t.) To bind the mouth of; to fasten the mouth of, so as to prevent biting or eating; hence, figuratively, to bind; to sheathe; to restrain from speech or action.
• (v.i.) The projecting mouth and nose of a quadruped, as of a horse; a snout.
• (v.i.) A fastening or covering (as a band or cage) for the mouth of an animal, to prevent eating or vicious biting.
• (v.t.) To fondle with the closed mouth.
• (v.i.) To bring the mouth or muzzle near.