Decrease and Regulate

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.

verb

• Fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of.
  • usage: "regulate the temperature"; "modulate the pitch"
  • synonyms: modulate
• Bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations.
  • usage: "We cannot regulate the way people dress"; "This town likes to regulate"
  • synonyms: regularize, regularise, order, govern
• Shape or influence; give direction to.
  • usage: "experience often determines ability"; "mold public opinion"
  • synonyms: determine, shape, mold, influence
• Check the emission of (sound. ).
  • synonyms: baffle

• (v.t.) To put in good order; as, to regulate the disordered state of a nation or its finances.
• (v.t.) To adjust or maintain, with respect to a desired rate, degree or condition; as, to regulate the temperature of a room, the pressure of steam, the speed of a machine, etc.
• (v.t.) To adjust by rule, method or established mode; to direct by rule or restriction; to subject to governing principles or laws.