Category:Lessen

Less"en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lessened; p. pr. & vb. n. Lessening.] Etym: [From Less, a. ]

Defn: To make less; to reduce; to make smaller, or fewer; to diminish; to lower; to degrade; as, to lessen a kingdom, or a population; to lessen speed, rank, fortune. Charity. . . shall lessen his punishment. Calamy. St. Paul chose to magnify his office when ill men conspired to lessen it. Atterbury.

Syn. -- To diminish; reduce; abate; decrease; lower; impair; weaken; degrade.

lessen Less"en, v. i.

Defn: To become less; to shrink; to contract; to decrease; to be diminished; as, the apparent magnitude of objects lessens as we recede from them; his care, or his wealth, lessened. The objection lessens much, and comes to no more than this: there was one witness of no good reputation. Atterbury.