di·min·ish (d -mn sh)v. di·min·ished, di·min·ish·ing, di·min·ish·es v.tr. 1. a. To make smaller or less or to cause to appear so. b. To detract from the authority, reputation, or prestige of. 2. To cause to taper. 3. Music To reduce (a perfect or minor interval) by a semitone. v.intr. 1. To become smaller or less. See Synonyms at decrease. 2. To taper. [Middle English diminishen, blend of diminuen, to lessen (from Old French diminuer, from Latin d  minuere, variant of d minuere : d-, de- + minuere, to lessen) and minishen, to reduce (from Old French minuiser, from Vulgar Latin *min ti re, from Latin mintia, smallness, from mintus, small, from past participle of minuere); see mei-2 in Indo-European roots.]di·min ish·a·ble adj.di·min ish·ment n. |
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