minish

transitive verb

min·​ish
ˈminish
-ed/-ing/-es
archaic
: to make less (as in size, amount, or degree) : make fewer in number : diminish in power or influence : lessen
have minished their numbers—Sir Walter Scott
would not … minish by a tittle the respect due to the Magistrate—J. R. Lowell
without … muddling it up with myths which simply minish its interest—George Saintsbury

Word History

Etymology

Middle English menusen, minishen, from Middle French menusier, menuiser to lessen, mince, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin minutiare to mince, from Latin minutia smallness, minuteness, from minutus minute + -ia -y

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Dictionary Entries Near minish

miniseries

minish

miniski

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Minish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minish. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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