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diminution
noun
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We find written evidence for diminution going back to the 14th century, including use in Geoffrey Chaucer's Middle English poetical work Troilus and Criseyde. Chaucer used "maken dyminucion" ("make diminution") in contrast to the verb "encrece" ("increase"). Diminution came to English by way of Anglo-French from Latin. Its Latin ancestor deminuere ("to diminish") is also an ancestor of the English verb diminish, which entered the language in the 15th century, and the related diminishment, a synonym of diminution that English speakers have been using since the 16th century.
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Examples of diminution in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diminution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Middle English diminucioun, from Anglo-French diminutiun, from Medieval Latin diminution-, diminutio, alteration of Latin deminution-, deminutio, from deminuere "to lessen" — more at diminish
14th century, in the meaning defined above
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“Diminution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diminution. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
diminution
nounLegal Definition
diminution
nounMore from Merriam-Webster on diminution
Britannica English: Translation of diminution for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diminution
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