Part 3125

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

<h1>Diminuent</h1> <Xpage=413>

<hw>Di*min"u*ent</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>diminuens</ets>, p. pr. of <ets>diminuere</ets>. See <er>Diminish</er>.]</ety> <def>Lessening.</def>

<i>Bp. Sanderson.</i>

<h1>Diminutal</h1> <Xpage=413>

<hw>Dim`i*nu"tal</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Indicating or causing diminution.</def>

<i>Earle.</i>

<h1>Diminute</h1> <Xpage=413>

<hw>Dim"i*nute</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Small; diminished; diminutive.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Jer. Taylor.</i>

<h1>Diminutely</h1> <Xpage=413>

<hw>Dim"i*nute*ly</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>Diminutively.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<h1>Diminution</h1> <Xpage=413>

<hw>Dim`i*nu"tion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>diminutio</ets>, or perh. rather <ets>deminutio</ets>: cf. F. <ets>diminution</ets>. See <er>Diminish</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>The act of diminishing, or of making or becoming less; state of being diminished; reduction in size, quantity, or degree; -- opposed to <i>augmentation</i> or <i>increase</i>.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>The act of lessening dignity or consideration, or the state of being deprived of dignity; a lowering in estimation; degradation; abasement.</def>

<blockquote>The world's opinion or <b>diminution</b> of me. <i>Eikon Basilike.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Nor thinks it <b>diminution</b> to be ranked In military honor next. <i>Philips.</i></blockquote>

<hr> <page="414"> Page 414<p>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Law)</fld> <def>Omission, inaccuracy, or defect in a record.</def>

<p><b>4.</b> <fld>(Mus.)</fld> <def>In counterpoint, the imitation of, or reply to, a subject, in notes of half the length or value of those the subject itself.</def>

<syn>Syn. -- Decrease; decay; abatement; reduction; deduction; decrement.</syn>

<h1>Diminutival</h1> <Xpage=414>

<hw>Di*min`u*ti"val</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Indicating diminution; diminutive.</def> "<i>Diminutival</i> forms" [of words]. <i>Earle</i>. -- <def2><tt>n.</tt> <def>A diminutive.</def> <i>Earle</i>.</def2>

<h1>Diminutive</h1> <Xpage=414>

<hw>Di*min"u*tive</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Cf. L. <ets>deminutivus</ets>, F. <ets>diminutif</ets>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Below the average size; very small; little.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Expressing diminution; <as>as, a <ex>diminutive</ex> word</as>.</def>