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 (
di•min′ish•a•ble, adj. di•min′ish•ment, n. - 5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See decrease.
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