DIMINUTION

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does diminution mean? 

• DIMINUTION (noun)
  The noun DIMINUTION has 3 senses:

1. change toward something smaller or lower

2. the statement of a theme in notes of lesser duration (usually half the length of the original)

3. the act of decreasing or reducing something

  Familiarity information: DIMINUTION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DIMINUTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Change toward something smaller or lower

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

decline; diminution

Hypernyms ("diminution" is a kind of...):

decrease; decrement (a process of becoming smaller or shorter)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "diminution"):

declension; decline in quality; deterioration; worsening (process of changing to an inferior state)

detumescence (diminution of swelling; the subsidence of anything swollen)

ebb; ebbing; wane (a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number))

erosion (a gradual decline of something)

loss (gradual decline in amount or activity)

nosedive (a sudden sharp drop or rapid decline)

sinking spell (a temporary decline in health or value)

slippage (decline from a standard level of performance or achievement)

Derivation:

diminish (decrease in size, extent, or range)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The statement of a theme in notes of lesser duration (usually half the length of the original)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("diminution" is a kind of...):

statement ((music) the presentation of a musical theme)

Antonym:

augmentation (the statement of a theme in notes of greater duration (usually twice the length of the original))

Sense 3

Meaning:

The act of decreasing or reducing something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

decrease; diminution; reduction; step-down

Hypernyms ("diminution" is a kind of...):

change of magnitude (the act of changing the amount or size of something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "diminution"):

mitigation; moderation (the action of lessening in severity or intensity)

tax credit (a direct reduction in tax liability (not dependent on the taxpayer's tax bracket))

shelter; tax shelter (a way of organizing business to reduce the taxes it must pay on current earnings)

declassification (reduction or removal by the government of restrictions on a classified document or weapon)

amortisation; amortization (the reduction of the value of an asset by prorating its cost over a period of years)

reverse split; reverse stock split; split down (a decrease in the number of outstanding shares of a corporation without changing the shareholders' equity)

contraction (the act of decreasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope)

depreciation (a decrease in price or value)

weakening (the act of reducing the strength of something)

rollback (reducing prices back to some earlier level)

deduction; discount; price reduction (the act of reducing the selling price of merchandise)

deflation (the act of letting the air out of something)

deduction; subtraction (the act of subtracting (removing a part from the whole))

shortening (act of decreasing in length)

cut (the act of reducing the amount or number)

lowering (the act of causing to become less)

cutback (a reduction in quantity or rate)

devaluation (the reduction of something's value or worth)

devitalisation; devitalization (the act of reducing the vitality of something)

extenuation; mitigation; palliation (to act in such a way as to cause an offense to seem less serious)

alleviation; easement; easing; relief (the act of reducing something unpleasant (as pain or annoyance))

de-escalation ((war) a reduction in intensity (of a crisis or a war))

minimisation; minimization (the act of reducing something to the least possible amount or degree or position)

depletion (the act of decreasing something markedly)

shrinking (the act of becoming less)

 Context examples 

Their first subject was the diminution of the Rosings party.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

But there was no diminution in the loftiness of his feeling for her.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Progressive diminution of the susceptibility of a human or animal to the effects of a drug, resulting from its continued administration.

(Drug tolerance, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

A condition of diminution or cessation of secretion of one or more hormones from the anterior pituitary gland.

(Hypopituitarism, NCI Thesaurus)

For it is plain, that every word we speak is, in some degree, a diminution of our lungs by corrosion, and, consequently, contributes to the shortening of our lives.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Reflecting and doubting, and feeling that the possession of what she had so much wished for did not bring much satisfaction, she now walked home again, with a change rather than a diminution of cares since her treading that path before.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

In such a frame of mind as she was now in, Elinor had no difficulty in obtaining from her whatever promise she required; and at her request, Marianne engaged never to speak of the affair to any one with the least appearance of bitterness;—to meet Lucy without betraying the smallest increase of dislike to her;—and even to see Edward himself, if chance should bring them together, without any diminution of her usual cordiality.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

From about the time of her entering the family, Lady Bertram, in consequence of a little ill-health, and a great deal of indolence, gave up the house in town, which she had been used to occupy every spring, and remained wholly in the country, leaving Sir Thomas to attend his duty in Parliament, with whatever increase or diminution of comfort might arise from her absence.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Her eagerness to be gone from Norland was preserved from diminution by the evident satisfaction of her daughter-in-law in the prospect of her removal; a satisfaction which was but feebly attempted to be concealed under a cold invitation to her to defer her departure.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)