decrease : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: decrease	by the DICT Development Group
4 results for decrease
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
decrease n a change downward; "there was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsided"; "there was a sharp drop-off in sales" Synonym(s): decrease, lessening, drop-off Antonym(s): increase a process of becoming smaller or shorter Synonym(s): decrease, decrement Antonym(s): growth, increase, increment the amount by which something decreases Synonym(s): decrease, decrement Antonym(s): increase, increment the act of decreasing or reducing something Synonym(s): decrease, diminution, reduction, step-down Antonym(s): increase, step-up v decrease in size, extent, or range; "The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester"; "The cabin pressure fell dramatically"; "her weight fell to under a hundred pounds"; "his voice fell to a whisper" Synonym(s): decrease, diminish, lessen, fall Antonym(s): increase make smaller; "He decreased his staff" Synonym(s): decrease, lessen, minify Antonym(s): increase
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Decrease \Decrease"\, v. t. To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases one's means. That might decrease* their present store. --Prior.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Decrease \Decrease"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Decreased}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Decreasing}.] [OE. decrecen, fr. OF. decreistre, F. d[82]cro[8c]tre, or from the OF. noun (see {Decrease}, n.), fr. L. decrescere to grow less; de + crescere to grow. See {Crescent}, and cf. {Increase}.] 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. --John iii. 30. Syn: To {Decrease}, {Diminish}. Usage: 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. --Drayton. Crete's ample fields diminish to our eye; Before the Boreal blasts the vessels fly. --Pope.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Decrease \Decrease"\, n. [OE. decrees, OF. decreis, fr. decreistre. See {Decrease}, v.] 1. A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease* of revenue or of strength. 2. The wane of the moon. --Bacon.