Diminish
/dɪˈmɪn.ɪʃ/noun
To make or become less in size, extent, or importance.
Did you know?The Old French root 'diminuer' hinted at a mystical process of making something less, as if by sorcery.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*de-
“down, away”
Latin
Latin
diminut-
“made smaller, reduced”
Old French
Old French
diminuer
“to lessen, reduce”
14th Century
English
diminishen
“to lessen, decrease”
Modern English
English
diminish
“to reduce in size or importance”