diminished

Everyday

1. Diminished means made smaller, fewer or weaker. tree →
2. (formal) To be diminished is to become less important or less respected. tree →
3. (music) A diminished chord or interval is a little smaller than the usual one. tree →

In the lessons

In formal maths and science texts "diminished by" means "made smaller by" or "minus": "20 diminished by 5". It describes things that shrink: a diminished supply, diminished light. In stories it shows weakness or loss. Phrases: diminished by, diminished returns, greatly diminished.

Examples

• The pile of sweets had diminished by lunchtime. tree →
• 20 diminished by 5 is 15. tree →
• The noise diminished as the train went away. tree →
• His strength had diminished after the long illness. tree →
• Light diminished as the sun set. tree →
• The water in the tank diminished by a third. tree →
• Her fear diminished once she saw the friendly dog. tree →
• The play uses a diminished chord to sound spooky. tree →
• Goll could do a thing that would be hard for another person, and he could do it so beautifully that he was not diminished by any action. tree →

Note

Formal; everyday words are "got smaller", "shrank", "went down". In maths, "a number diminished by 7" means the number minus 7 (n - 7). Trap: "diminished to 7" means it became 7, not minus 7. Noun: a diminution (formal).

In Jewish tradition

It means cut down or lessened, as in the bricks and straw that Pharaoh would not let the Israelite slaves reduce. In the primary lessons: In formal maths and science texts "diminished by" means "made smaller by" or "minus": "20 diminished by 5". It describes things that shrink: a diminished supply, diminished light. In stories it shows weakness or loss. Phrases: diminished by, diminished returns, greatly diminished.

Examples

• Go yourselves, get you straw where ye can find it; for nought of your work shall be diminished.' (Torah EXO.5.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished; but he that gathereth little by little shall increase. (Writings PRO.13.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• and the residue of the number of the archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished; for the LORD, the God of Israel, hath spoken it.' (Prophets ISA.21.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply ye there, and be not diminished. (Prophets JER.29.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Formal; everyday words are "got smaller", "shrank", "went down". In maths, "a number diminished by 7" means the number minus 7 (n - 7). Trap: "diminished to 7" means it became 7, not minus 7. Noun: a diminution (formal).