Decrease and Restrain

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

• Keep under control; keep in check.
  • usage: "suppress a smile"; "Keep your temper"; "keep your cool"
  • synonyms: keep, keep back, hold back
• Place limits on (extent or access. )
  • usage: "restrict the use of this parking lot"; "limit the time you can spend with your friends"
  • synonyms: restrict, trammel, limit, bound, confine, throttle
• To close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement.
  • usage: "This holds the local until the express passengers change trains"; "About a dozen animals were held inside the stockade"; "The illegal immigrants were held at a detention center"; "The terrorists held the journalists for ransom"
  • synonyms: confine, hold
• Hold back.
  • synonyms: encumber, cumber, constrain
• To compel or deter by or as if by threats.
  • synonyms: intimidate

• (v.t.) To draw back toghtly, as a rein.
• (v.t.) To hinder from unlimited enjoiment; to abridge.
• (v.t.) To draw back again; to hold back from acting, proceeding or advancing, either by physical or moral force or by any interposing obstacle; to repress or suppress; to keep down; to curb.
• (v.t.) To limit; to confine; to restrict.
• (v.t.) To withhold; to forbear.