Diminished column

Diminish Di*min"ish, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Diminished}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Diminishing}.] [Pref. di- (= L. dis-) + minish: cf. L. diminuere, F. diminuer, OE. diminuen. See {Dis-}, and {Minish}.] 1. To make smaller in any manner; to reduce in bulk or amount; to lessen; -- opposed to {augment} or {increase}. [1913 Webster]

Not diminish, but rather increase, the debt. --Barrow. [1913 Webster]

2. To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken. [1913 Webster]

This doth nothing diminish their opinion. --Robynson (More's Utopia). [1913 Webster]

I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations. --Ezek. xxix. 15. [1913 Webster]

O thou . . . at whose sight all the stars Hide their diminished heads. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. (Mus.) To make smaller by a half step; to make (an interval) less than minor; as, a diminished seventh. [1913 Webster]

4. To take away; to subtract. [1913 Webster]

Neither shall ye diminish aught from it. --Deut. iv. 2. [1913 Webster]

{Diminished column}, one whose upper diameter is less than the lower.

{Diminished scale}, or {Diminishing scale}, a scale of gradation used in finding the different points for drawing the spiral curve of the volute. --Gwilt.

{Diminishing rule} (Arch.), a board cut with a concave edge, for fixing the entasis and curvature of a shaft.

{Diminishing stile} (Arch.), a stile which is narrower in one part than in another, as in many glazed doors.

Syn: To decrease; lessen; abate; reduce; contract; curtail; impair; degrade. See {Decrease}. [1913 Webster]