dimmed

Everyday

1. Made less bright: the lights were dimmed. tree →
2. Became less bright by itself. tree →
3. Made a feeling, hope or memory weaker. tree →
4. (on a car) dimmed or dipped headlights point lower so they do not dazzle other drivers. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and stories, dimmed lights show the start of a film, a quiet bedtime or a sad mood; hopes can be dimmed by bad news; in science, a dimmed lamp gives less light energy; phrases: «the lights dimmed», «dimmed hopes».

Examples

• The lights dimmed and the film began. tree →
• Dad dimmed the lamp so the baby could sleep. tree →
• The stars dimmed as the clouds rolled in. tree →
• Her hopes dimmed when it started to rain on sports day. tree →
• The screen dimmed to save battery. tree →
• The theatre went quiet as the lights dimmed. tree →
• Time had dimmed his memory of the old house. tree →
• His dimmed mind was just clear enough to remember what she had said, and with trembling fingers, that were almost powerless to grasp, he drew it out. tree →

Note

Double the m: dim → dimmed, dimming (short vowel + one consonant). Adjective dim also means a bit stupid (informal, rude: «a bit dim»). Do not confuse with «damned».

In Jewish tradition

In these verses it describes the eye growing weak and dull from grief and suffering, not lights being turned down.

Interpretation. In the Psalms and Job, a dimmed eye shows sorrow and weakness, and the speaker is crying out to God from his pain.

Examples

• Mine eye is dimmed because of vexation; it waxeth old because of all mine adversaries. (Writings PSA.6.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• Mine eye also is dimmed by reason of vexation, and all my members are as a shadow. (Writings JOB.17.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Double the m: dim → dimmed, dimming (short vowel + one consonant). Adjective dim also means a bit stupid (informal, rude: «a bit dim»). Do not confuse with «damned».