Definition of diminish

• v. t. - To make smaller in any manner; to reduce in bulk or amount; to lessen; -- opposed to augment or increase.
• v. t. - To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken.
• v. t. - To make smaller by a half step; to make (an interval) less than minor; as, a diminished seventh.
• v. t. - To take away; to subtract.
• v. i. - To become or appear less or smaller; to lessen; as, the apparent size of an object diminishes as we recede from it.