diminution
noun
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We find written evidence for diminution going back to the 14th century, including use in Geoffrey Chaucer's Middle English poetical work Troilus and Criseyde. Chaucer used "maken dyminucion" ("make diminution") in contrast to the verb "encrece" ("increase"). Diminution came to English by way of Anglo-French from Latin. Its Latin ancestor deminuere ("to diminish") is also an ancestor of the English verb diminish, which entered the language in the 15th century, and the related diminishment, a synonym of diminution that English speakers have been using since the 16th century.
Synonyms
Examples of diminution in a Sentence
Kevin Coldiron, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
The same diminution is currently happening to the composition of an opening paragraph with a clear thesis statement.
—Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 27 Sep. 2024
Authentic liberals and conservatives should not deplore the Supreme Court’s long-overdue diminution of juristocracy and the imperial presidency.
—George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 21 July 2024
Despite the potential for losing some ground to the political circus, a diminution of interest in the NFL’s premium inventory would require a ratings downturn of near-historic proportions.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 19 July 2024
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Dictionary Entries Near diminution
Cite this Entry
“Diminution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diminution. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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diminution
noun
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diminution
noun
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