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verb Decrease v. t. To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases one's means. "That might decrease their present store."
Decrease v. i. (past & past part. decreased; pres. part. decreasing) 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. "He must increase, but I must decrease." Synonyms: To Decrease, Diminish. 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. "The olive leaf, which certainly them told The flood decreased." "Crete's ample fields diminish to our eye; Before the Boreal blasts the vessels fly."
adjective decreased adj. Made less in size or amount or degree. Opposite of increased. (Narrower terms: attenuate, attenuated, faded, weakened; belittled, diminished, small; cut, cut-rate; diminished, lessened; minimized; remittent; attenuated) Synonyms: reduced.
Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48
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