minish

transitive verb

min·​ish

ˈminish

-ed/-ing/-es

archaic

: to make less (as in size, amount, or degree) : make fewer in number : diminish in power or influence : lessen

have minished their numbers

—Sir Walter Scott

would not … minish by a tittle the respect due to the Magistrate

—J. R. Lowell

without … muddling it up with myths which simply minish its interest

—George Saintsbury

Word History

Etymology

Middle English menusen, minishen, from Middle French menusier, menuiser to lessen, mince, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin minutiare to mince, from Latin minutia smallness, minuteness, from minutus minute + -ia -y

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