diminution

[ dim-uh-noo-shuh n, -nyoo- ]
/ ˌdɪm əˈnu ʃən, -ˈnyu- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR diminution ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act, fact, or process of diminishing; lessening; reduction.
Music. the repetition or imitation of a subject or theme in notes of shorter duration than those first used.

Origin of diminution

1275–1325; Middle English diminucion < Anglo-French diminuciun < Latin dīminūtiōn- (stem of dīminūtiō), for dēminūtiōn- (stem of dēminūtiō) (by influence of dīmunuere; see diminish), equivalent to dēminūt(us) (past participle of dēminuere, equivalent to dē- de- + minuere to lessen) + -iōn- -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM diminution

pre·dim·i·nu·tion, noun

Words nearby diminution

diminished responsibility, diminished seventh chord, diminishing returns, diminishing returns, law of, diminuendo, diminution, diminutive, dimissory, dimitrios i, dimitrov, dimitrovo

Words related to diminution

decline, cut, alleviation, decay, cutback, deduction, abatement, curtailment, decrease, contraction, retrenchment

Example sentences from the Web for diminution

British Dictionary definitions for diminution

diminution
/ (ˌdɪmɪˈnjuːʃən) /

noun

reduction; decrease
music the presentation of the subject of a fugue, etc, in which the note values are reduced in length Compare augmentation (def. 3)

Word Origin for diminution

C14: from Latin dēminūtiō; see diminish