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e act of superseding, or the state of being superseded; supersedure. The general law of diminishing return from land would have undergone, to that extent, a temporary supersession. J. S. Mill.

y use of it [money] which is interdicted is to put it in circulation again after having diminished its weight by "sweating", or otherwise, because the quantity of metal contains is no longer consistent with its impression. R. Cobden.

crease in volume or force; as, a river swells, and overflows its banks; sounds swell or diminish.

in the direction of a tangent to the path of the body, its effect being to increase or diminish the velocity; -- distinguished from a normal force, which acts at right angles to the tangent and changes the direction of the motion without changing the velocity. -- Tangential stress. (Engin.) See Shear, n., 3.…

arance of, especially by an alternation induced by the air, or by dust, or the like; to diminish, dull, or destroy the luster of; to sully; as, to tarnish a metal; to tarnish gilding; to tarnish the purity of color. "Tarnished lace." Fuller. Used also figuratively; as, to tarnish one's honor.

An operation to diminish the size of the opening between eyelids when enlarged by surrounding cicatrices.

f the light while linear dimensions of objects seen through the prisms are increased or diminished; -- called also prism telescope. Sir D. Brewster.

elicate temperance." Shak. Temperance society, an association formed for the purpose of diminishing or stopping the use of alcoholic liquors as a beverage.

with some adverbs, as out, away, etc.; as, geological strata thin out, i. e., gradually diminish in thickness until they disappear.

Fig.: To moderate or relax; to diminish or weaken the striking characteristics of; to soften. The best method for the purpose in hand was to employ some one of a character and position suited to get possession of their confidence, and then use it to tone down their religious strictures. Palfrey. -- To tone up, to cause…

Having no deductions; not curtailed, or shortened; undiminished. [R.] Swift.

In a manner not to be approved of; improperly. [Obs. & R.] To diminish, by the authority of wise and knowing men, things unjustly and unprobably crept in. Strype.

A device for vibrating the pen of a siphon recorder to diminish frictional resistance on the paper. (4) An oscillator.

taining a charge of powder in a gun, or for keeping the powder and shot close; also, to diminish or avoid the effects of windage. Also, by extension, a dusk of felt, pasteboard, etc., serving a similar purpose.

To be diminished; to decrease; -- contrasted with wax, and especially applied to the illuminated part of the moon. Like the moon, aye wax ye and wane. Waning moons their settled periods keep. Addison.

Failing or diminishing trust; want of trust or confidence; distrust. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Waning or diminished in some parts; not of uniform size throughout; -- said especially of sawed boards or timber when tapering or uneven, from being cut too near the outside of the log.

To wear away by degrees; to impair gradually; to diminish by constant loss; to use up; to consume; to spend; to wear out. Until your carcasses be wasted in the wilderness. Num. xiv. 33. O, were I able To waste it all myself, and leave ye none! Milton. Here condemned To waste eternal days in woe and pain. Milton. Wasted…

Causing waste; also, undergoing waste; diminishing; as, a wasting disease; a wasting fortune. Wasting palsy (Med.), progressive muscular atrophy. See under Progressive.

the aggregate par value of the shares is increased while their value for investment is diminished, or "diluted." [Brokers' Cant]