GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Decrease , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Decreased ; p. pr. & vb. n. Decreasing.] [OE. decrecen, fr. OF. decreistre, F. décroître, or from the OF. noun (see Decrease, n.), fr. L. decrescere to grow less; de + crescere to grow. See Crescent, and cf. Increase.] To grow less, -- opposed to increase; to be diminished gradually, in size, degree, number, duration, etc., or in strength, quality, or excellence; as, they days decrease in length from June to December.
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   He must increase, but I must decrease.
   John iii. 30.
   Syn. -- To Decrease, Diminish.  Things usually decrease or fall off by degrees, and from within, or through some cause which is imperceptible; as, the flood decreases; the cold decreases; their affection has decreased. Things commonly diminish by an influence from without, or one which is apparent; as, the army was diminished by disease; his property is diminishing through extravagance; their affection has diminished since their separation their separation. The turn of thought, however, is often such that these words may be interchanged.
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   The olive leaf, which certainly them told
   The flood decreased.
   Drayton.
   
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   Crete's ample fields diminish to our eye;
   Before the Boreal blasts the vessels fly.
   Pope.
   
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2.       
   Decrease, v. t. To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases one's means.
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   That might decrease their present store.
   Prior.
   
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3.       
   Decrease, n. [OE. decrees, OF. decreis, fr. decreistre. See Decrease, v.]
   A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease of revenue or of strength.
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   The wane of the moon.
   Bacon.
   
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