transitive verb

1. to make, or make seem, smaller; reduce in size, degree, importance, etc.; lessen
2. Archit. to cause to taper
3. Music to reduce (a perfect or a minor interval) by a half step

Etymology: ME diminishen, a blend of diminuen, to reduce (< OFr diminuer < L diminuere, var. of deminuere < de-, from + minuere, to lessen < minus, small) & minishen, to make smaller < OFr menusier < VL *minutiare < L minutus, minute

intransitive verb

1. to become smaller or less
2. Archit. to taper