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diminution. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
diminution, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
diminution in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
diminution you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Etymology
From Middle English diminucioun, from Anglo-Norman diminuciun, Old French diminucion, from Latin dīminūtiō.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /dɪmɪˈnjuːʃən/
- Rhymes: -uːʃən
- Hyphenation: di‧mi‧nu‧tion
Noun
diminution (countable and uncountable, plural diminutions)
- A lessening, decrease or reduction.
- The new emission standards have produced a measurable diminution in air pollution.
1800 October 24, Alexander Hamilton, “Letter from Alexander Hamilton, Concerning the Public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq. President of the United States”, in Harold C. Syrett, editor, The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, volumes 25, July 1800 – April 1802, New York: Columbia University Press, published 1962, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 187:Another part, feeling a diminution of confidence in him, still hope that the general tenor of his conduct will be essentially right.
1860, John Ruskin, chapter 1, in Modern Painters , volume V, London: Smith, Elder and Co., , →OCLC, part VII (Of Cloud Beauty), § 9, page 111:Cold is usually shapeless, I suppose, extending over large spaces equally, or with gradual diminution.
- The act or process of making diminutive.
- (music) a compositional technique where the composer shortens the melody by shortening its note values.
Synonyms
Related terms
Translations
lessening, decrease or reduction
French
Etymology
Inherited from Old French diminucion, borrowed from Latin dīminūtiōnem.
Pronunciation
Noun
diminution f (plural diminutions)
- diminution, abatement
Further reading
Interlingua
Noun
diminution (plural diminutiones)
- decrease
Related terms