Decrease

v. i. [imp. & p. p. DECREASED (-krēest'); p. pr. & vb. n. DECREASING.] [Lat. decrescere, from de and crescere, to grow; O. Fr. decroistre, n. decrois, N. Fr. décroître, Pr. decresser, n. decreis, decreis, Sp. decrecer, descrecer, It. decrescere, di-crescere.] To become less; to be diminished gradually, in extent, bulk, quantity, or amount, or in strength, quality, or excellence; as, the days decrease in length from June to December.

He must increase, but I must decrease. John iii. 30.

Decreasing series (Math.), a series in which each term is numerically less than the preceding term.

v. t. To cause to lessen, as in dimensions, amount, or quality; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases the means of charity. “That might decrease their present store.” Prior.

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 or are diminished by an action 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. The turn of thought, however, is often such that these words may be interchanged.

Never such joy was, since the world began, As in the ark, when Noah and his behold The olive leaf, which certainly them told The flood decreased. Drayton.

Crete’s ample fields diminish to our eye; Before the Boreal blasts the vessels fly. Pope.

n. 1. A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease of revenue; a decrease of strength. 2. The wane of the moon.