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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Diminished column

Diminish \Di*min"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Diminished; p. pr. & vb. n. Diminishing.] [Pref. di- (= L. dis-) + minish: cf. L. diminuere, F. diminuer, OE. diminuen. See Dis-, and Minish.]

  1. To make smaller in any manner; to reduce in bulk or amount; to lessen; -- opposed to augment or increase.

    Not diminish, but rather increase, the debt.
    --Barrow.

  2. To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken.

    This doth nothing diminish their opinion.
    --Robynson (More's Utopia).

    I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations.
    --Ezek. xxix. 15.

    O thou . . . at whose sight all the stars Hide their diminished heads.
    --Milton.

  3. (Mus.) To make smaller by a half step; to make (an interval) less than minor; as, a diminished seventh.

  4. To take away; to subtract.

    Neither shall ye diminish aught from it.
    --Deut. iv. 2.

    Diminished column, one whose upper diameter is less than the lower.

    Diminished scale, or Diminishing scale, a scale of gradation used in finding the different points for drawing the spiral curve of the volute.
    --Gwilt.

    Diminishing rule (Arch.), a board cut with a concave edge, for fixing the entasis and curvature of a shaft.

    Diminishing stile (Arch.), a stile which is narrower in one part than in another, as in many glazed doors.

    Syn: To decrease; lessen; abate; reduce; contract; curtail; impair; degrade. See Decrease.