Part 85

2. The wane of the moon. Bacon.

De*crease"less, a. Suffering no decrease. [R.]

It [the river] flows and flows, and yet will flow, Volume decreaseless to the final hour.

A. Seward.

De*creas"ing, a. Becoming less and less; diminishing. -- De*creas"ing*ly, adv.

Decreasing series (Math.), a series in which each term is numerically smaller than the preceding term.

De`cre*a"tion (?), n. Destruction; -- opposed to creation. [R.] Cudworth.

De*cree" (?), n. [OE. decre, F. décret, fr. L. decretum, neut. decretus, p. p. of decernere to decide; de- + cernere to decide. See Certain, and cf. Decreet, Decretal.] 1. An order from one having authority, deciding what is to be done by a subordinate; also, a determination by one having power, deciding what is to be done or to take place; edict, law; authoritative ru&?;&?; decision. "The decrees of Venice." Sh&?;&?;&?;.

There went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

Luke ii. 1.

Poor hand, why quiverest thou at this decree?

Shak.

2. (Law) (a) A decision, order, or sentence, given in a cause by a court of equity or admiralty. (b) A determination or judgment of an umpire on a case submitted to him. Brande.

3. (Eccl.) An edict or law made by a council for regulating any business within their jurisdiction; as, the decrees of ecclesiastical councils.

Syn. -- Law; regulation; edict; ordinance. See Law.

De*cree" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decreed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Decreeing.] 1. To determine judicially by authority, or by decree; to constitute by edict; to appoint by decree or law; to determine; to order; to ordain; as, a court decrees a restoration of property.

Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee.

Job xxii. 28.

2. To ordain by fate.

De*cree", v. i. To make decrees; - - used absolutely.

Father eternal! thine is to decree; Mine, both in heaven and earth to do thy will.

Milton.

De*cree"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being decreed.

De*cre"er (?), n. One who decrees. J. Goodwin.

De*creet" (?), n. [Cf. Decree.] (Scots Law) The final judgment of the Court of Session, or of an inferior court, by which the question at issue is decided.

Dec"re*ment (?), n. [L. decrementum, fr. decrescere. See Decrease.] 1. The state of becoming gradually less; decrease; diminution; waste; loss.

Twit me with the decrements of my pendants.

Ford.