Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Diminution
1.
The act of diminishing, or of making or becoming less; state of being diminished; reduction in size, quantity, or degree; – opposed to
augmentation
or increase
. 2.
The act of lessening dignity or consideration, or the state of being deprived of dignity; a lowering in estimation; degradation; abasement.
The world’s opinion or
diminution
of me. Eikon Basilike.
Nor thinks it
In military honor next.
diminution
to be rankedIn military honor next.
Philips.
3.
(Law)
Omission, inaccuracy, or defect in a record.
Syn. – Decrease; decay; abatement; reduction; deduction; decrement.
Webster 1828 Edition
Diminution
DIMINUTION
,Noun.
1.
The act of lessening; a making smaller; opposed to augmentation; as the diminution of size, of wealth, of power, of safety.2.
The state of becoming or appearing less; opposed to increase; as the diminution of the apparent diameter of a receding body.3.
Discredit; loss of dignity; degradation.4.
Deprivation of dignity; a lessening of estimation.5.
In architecture, the contraction of the upper part of a column, by which its diameter is made less than that of the lower part.6.
In music, the imitation of or reply to a subject in notes of half the length or value of those of the subject itself.