Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Lessen
Less′en
(lĕs′’n)
, Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Lessened
(-’nd)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Lessening
.] [From ]
Less
, Adj.
To make less; to reduce; to make smaller, or fewer; to diminish; to lower; to degrade;
as, to
lessen
a kingdom, or a population; to lessen
speed, rank, fortune.Charity . . . shall
lessen
his punishment. Calamy.
Syn. – To diminish; reduce; abate; decrease; lower; impair; weaken; degrade.
Less′en
,Verb.
I.
To become less; to shrink; to contract; to decrease; to be diminished;
as, the apparent magnitude of objects
lessens
as we recede from them; his care, or his wealth, lessened
.The objection
lessens
much, and comes to no more than this: there was one witness of no good reputation. Atterbury.
Webster 1828 Edition
Lessen
LESS'EN
,Verb.
T.
1.
To make less; to diminish; to reduce in bulk, size, quantity, number or amount; to make smaller; as, to lessen a kingdom or its population.2.
To diminish in degree, state of quality; as, awkward manners tend to lessen our respect for men of merit.3.
To degrade; to reduce in dignity.St. Paul chose to magnify his office, when ill men conspired to lessen it.
LESS'EN
,Verb.
I.
1.
To become less; to shrink; to contract in bulk, quantity, number or amount; to be diminished. The apparent magnitude of objects lessens as we recede from them.2.
To become less in degree, quality or intensity; to decrease. The strength of the body, and the vivacity of the temper usually lessen as we advance in age.