01 v. i. To grow less, -- opposed to increase; to be diminished gradually, in size, degree, number, duration, etc., or in strength, quality, or exce…
imp. & p. p.
Decreased; p. pr. & vb. n.
Decreasing
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1.
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.“He must increase, but I must decrease.” — John iii. 30.“The olive leaf, which certainly them told The flood decreased.” — Drayton.“Crete's ample fields diminish to our eye; Before the Boreal blasts the vessels fly.” — Pope.
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.