(1):
(v. t.) To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken.
(2):
(v. t.) To make smaller in any manner; to reduce in bulk or amount; to lessen; - opposed to augment or increase.
(3):
(v. i.) To become or appear less or smaller; to lessen; as, the apparent size of an object diminishes as we recede from it.
(4):
(v. t.) To take away; to subtract.
(5):
(v. t.) To make smaller by a half step; to make (an interval) less than minor; as, a diminished seventh.