minish

transitive verb

min·​ish
ˈminish
-ed/-ing/-es
archaic
: to make less (as in size, amount, or degree) : make fewer in number : diminish in power or influence : lessen
have minished their numbersSir Walter Scott
would not … minish by a tittle the respect due to the MagistrateJ. R. Lowell
without … muddling it up with myths which simply minish its interestGeorge Saintsbury

Word History

Etymology

Middle English menusen, minishen, from Middle French menusier, menuiser to lessen, mince, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin minutiare to mince, from Latin minutia smallness, minuteness, from minutus minute + -ia -y

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Dictionary Entries Near minish

Cite this Entry

“Minish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minish. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

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