to make smaller in any manner; to reduce in bulk or amount; to lessen; -- opposed to augment or increase.-to lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken.-to make smaller by a half step; to make (an interval) less than minor; as, a diminished seventh.-to take away; to subtract.-to become or appear less or smaller; to lessen; as, the apparent size of an object diminishes as we recede from it.