diminish
v[I, Tn]
1 (cause sth to) become smaller or less; decrease 变小; 变少; 使(某事物)变小; 使(某事物)变少; 缩小; 减少; 降低
His strength has diminished over the years. 经过这许多年月, 他的体力不如从前了.
Nothing could diminish her enthusiasm for the project. 什麽也不能影响她对这项计划的热忱.
diminishing hopes, supplies, funds 逐渐渺茫的希望、 渐渐用完的物资、 渐渐枯竭的资金.
2 (fig 比喻) make (sb/sth) seem less important than it really is; devalue 减低(某人[某事物]的重要性; 贬低
The opposition are trying to diminish our achievements. 反对党企图贬低我们的成就.
3 (music 音) decrease (an interval) by a semitone 将(音程)减半音
a diminished seventh 减七度.