Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Decrease
De-crease′
,Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Decreased
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Decreasing
.] [OE. ), fr. L.
decrecen
, fr. OF. decreistre
, F. décroître
, or from the OF. noun (see Decrease
, Noun.
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 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. The olive leaf, which certainly them told
The flood
The flood
decreased
. Drayton.
Crete’s ample fields
Before the Boreal blasts the vessels fly.
diminish
to our eye;Before the Boreal blasts the vessels fly.
Pope.
De-crease′
,Verb.
T.
To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually;
as, extravagance
. decreases
one's meansThat might
decrease
their present store. Prior.
1.
A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay;
as, a
. decrease
of revenue or of strength2.
The wane of the moon.
Bacon.
Webster 1828 Edition
Decrease
DECREASE
,Verb.
I.
He must increase, but I must decrease. John iii.
DECREASE
,Verb.
T.
DECREASE
,Noun.
1.
A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as a decrease of revenue; a decrease of strength.2.
The wane of the moon; the gradual diminution of the visible face of the moon from the full to the change.