lessen
['lesn]
vt. 减, 缩, 减

vi.



lessen
[ verb ]

1. decrease in size, extent, or range

<verb.change> decrease diminish fall
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

2. make smaller

<verb.change> decrease minify
He decreased his staff

3. wear off or die down

<verb.change> subside
The pain subsided

Lessen \Less"en\ (l[e^]s"'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Lessened}
(-'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Lessening}.] [From {Less}, a.]
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.
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.