decrease

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Decreased p. pr. & vb. n. Decreasing. ] [ OE. decrecen, fr. OF. decreistre, F. décroître, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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

Syn. -- 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 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The olive leaf, which certainly them told
The flood decreased. Drayton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Crete's ample fields diminish to our eye;
Before the Boreal blasts the vessels fly. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases one's means. [ 1913 Webster ]

That might decrease their present store. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The wane of the moon. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]