Chapter Diluter to Dimple of D by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

2. To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken.

This doth nothing diminish their opinion.

Robynson

I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations.

Ezek. xxix. 15.

O thou . . . at whose sight all the stars
Hide their diminished heads.

Milton.

3. (Mus.) To make smaller by a half step; to make (an interval) less than minor; as, a diminished seventh.

4. To take away; to subtract.

Neither shall ye diminish aught from it.

Deut. iv. 2.

Diminished column, one whose upper diameter is less than the lower. — Diminished, or Diminishing, scale, a scale of gradation used in finding the different points for drawing the spiral curve of the volute. Gwilt. — Diminishing rule (Arch.), a board cut with a concave edge, for fixing the entasis and curvature of a shaft. — Diminishing stile (Arch.), a stile which is narrower in one part than in another, as in many glazed doors.

Syn. — To decrease; lessen; abate; reduce; contract; curtail; impair; degrade. See Decrease.

Diminish
(Di*min"ish), v. i. To become or appear less or smaller; to lessen; as, the apparent size of an object diminishes as we recede from it.

Diminishable
(Di*min"ish*a*ble) a. Capable of being diminished or lessened.

Diminisher
(Di*min"ish*er) n. One who, or that which, diminishes anything. Clerke

Diminishingly
(Di*min"ish*ing*ly), adv. In a manner to diminish.

Diminishment
(Di*min"ish*ment) n. Diminution. [R.] Cheke.

Diminuendo
(Di*min`u*en"do) adv. [It., p. pr. of diminuere to diminish.] (Mus.) In a gradually diminishing manner; with abatement of tone; decrescendo; — expressed on the staff by Dim., or Dimin., or the sign.

Diminuent
(Di*min"u*ent) a. [L. diminuens, p. pr. of diminuere. See Diminish.] Lessening. Bp. Sanderson.

Diminutal
(Dim`i*nu"tal) a. Indicating or causing diminution. Earle.

Diminute
(Dim"i*nute) a. Small; diminished; diminutive. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

Diminutely
(Dim"i*nute*ly), adv. Diminutively. [Obs.]

Diminution
(Dim`i*nu"tion) n. [L. diminutio, or perh. rather deminutio: cf. F. diminution. See Diminish.]

1. The act of diminishing, or of making or becoming less; state of being diminished; reduction in size, quantity, or degree; — opposed to augmentation or increase.

2. The act of lessening dignity or consideration, or the state of being deprived of dignity; a lowering in estimation; degradation; abasement.

The world's opinion or diminution of me.

Eikon Basilike.

Nor thinks it diminution to be ranked
In military honor next.

Philips.