diminution

«diminution» in Mova's school dictionary: A reduction in size, amount, importance or strength… — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples.

part of speech

noun (diminution; a diminution, diminutions)

meaning for a pupil

(formal) A reduction in size, amount, importance or strength; getting smaller or less. tree →

sense in the lessons

A formal, exam-voice word meaning «decrease» or «drop». In science or geography reports: «a diminution in rainfall». In everyday talk people say «drop», «fall» or «decrease». Phrases: «a diminution in», «a diminution of», «without diminution».

examples

• There was a diminution in the number of birds this spring. tree →
• (formal) The medicine caused a diminution of pain. tree →
• The storm passed with no diminution in the wind until the evening. tree →
• (formal) The report notes a gradual diminution of resources. tree →
• Old age brought a diminution of his strength. tree →

note

Formal; use «decrease» or «drop» in normal writing. Related: «diminish» (verb), «diminutive». In maths, a diminution means taking away: a diminution of 20 from 100 leaves 80.

Trees and pragmatics

Every meaning and example of «diminution» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.