- Decreased
- Decrease De*crease", v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Decreased}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Decreasing}.] [OE. decrecen, fr. OF. decreistre, F.
d['e]cro[^i]tre, or from the OF. noun (see {Decrease}, n.),
fr. L. 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.
[1913 Webster]
He must increase, but I must decrease. --John iii. 30.
Syn: To {Decrease}, {Diminish}.
Usage: 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. [1913 Webster]
The olive leaf, which certainly them told The flood decreased. --Drayton. [1913 Webster]
Crete's ample fields diminish to our eye; Before the Boreal blasts the vessels fly. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.