Part 291

Ezek. xxix. 15.

O thou . . . at whose sight all the stars Hide their diminished heads.

Milton.

3. (Mus.) To make smaller by a half step; to make (an interval) less than minor; as, a diminished seventh.

4. To take away; to subtract.

Neither shall ye diminish aught from it.

Deut. iv. 2.

Diminished column, one whose upper diameter is less than the lower. -- Diminished, or Diminishing, scale, a scale of gradation used in finding the different points for drawing the spiral curve of the volute. Gwilt. -- Diminishing rule (Arch.), a board cut with a concave edge, for fixing the entasis and curvature of a shaft. -- Diminishing stile (Arch.), a stile which is narrower in one part than in another, as in many glazed doors.

Syn. -- To decrease; lessen; abate; reduce; contract; curtail; impair; degrade. See Decrease.

Di*min"ish, v. i. To become or appear less or smaller; to lessen; as, the apparent size of an object diminishes as we recede from it.

Di*min"ish*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being diminished or lessened.

Di*min"ish*er (?), n. One who, or that which, diminishes anything. Clerke (1637).

Di*min"ish*ing*ly, adv. In a manner to diminish.

Di*min"ish*ment (?), n. Diminution. [R.] Cheke.

Di*min`u*en"do (?), adv. [It., p. pr. of diminuere to diminish.] (Mus.) In a gradually diminishing manner; with abatement of tone; decrescendo; -- expressed on the staff by Dim., or Dimin., or the sign.

Di*min"u*ent (?), a. [L. diminuens, p. pr. of diminuere. See Diminish.] Lessening. Bp. Sanderson.

Dim`i*nu"tal (?), a. Indicating or causing diminution. Earle.

Dim"i*nute (?), a. Small; diminished; diminutive. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

Dim"i*nute*ly, adv. Diminutively. [Obs.]

Dim`i*nu"tion (?), n. [L. diminutio, or perh. rather deminutio: cf. F. diminution. See Diminish.] 1. The act of diminishing, or of making or becoming less; state of being diminished; reduction in size, quantity, or degree; -- opposed to augmentation or increase.

2. The act of lessening dignity or consideration, or the state of being deprived of dignity; a lowering in estimation; degradation; abasement.

The world's opinion or diminution of me.

Eikon Basilike.

Nor thinks it diminution to be ranked In military honor next.

Philips.

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3. (Law) Omission, inaccuracy, or defect in a record.

4. (Mus.) In counterpoint, the imitation of, or reply to, a subject, in notes of half the length or value of those the subject itself.