| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024di•min•ish /dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/USA pronunciation v. - to (cause to) seem smaller, decrease, or be reduced: [no object]Suddenly the wind diminished and the seas grew calm again.[~ + object]Time will not diminish our friendship.
- to belittle; disparage:[~ + object]It's not fair to diminish his efforts; he's worked extremely hard.
di•min•ished, adj.: the diminished supply of firewood.di•min•ish•ing, adj.: We now face the problem of diminishing returns. dim•i•nu•tion /ˌdɪməˈnuʃən, -ˈnyu-/USA pronunciation n. [countable]facing a constant diminution of financial aid.[uncountable]plans for diminution of the budget deficit.See -min-. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024di•min•ish (di min′ish),USA pronunciation v.t. - to make or cause to seem smaller, less, less important, etc.;
lessen;
reduce. - Architectureto give (a column) a form tapering inward from bottom to top.
- Music and Danceto make (an interval) smaller by a chromatic half step than the corresponding perfect or minor interval.
- to detract from the authority, honor, stature, or reputation of;
disparage.
v.i. - to lessen;
decrease.
- Medieval Latin dīminuere for Latin dēminuere to make smaller) and minishen minish
- Anglo-French diminuer
- 1400–50; late Middle English; blend of, blended diminuen (
- 5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See decrease.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: diminish /dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/ vb - to make or become smaller, fewer, or less
- (transitive) to cause (a column, etc) to taper
- (transitive) to decrease (a minor or perfect interval) by a semitone
- to belittle or be belittled; reduce in authority, status, etc; depreciate
Etymology: 15th Century: blend of diminuen to lessen (from Latin dēminuere to make smaller, from minuere to reduce) + archaic minish to lessendiˈminishable adj |