diminution

views updated May 21 2018

dim·i·nu·tion / ˌdiməˈn(y)oōshən/ • n. a reduction in the size, extent, or importance of something: a permanent diminution in value | the disease shows no signs of diminution. ∎ Mus. the shortening of the time values of notes in a melodic part.

Diminution

views updated May 29 2018

DIMINUTION

Taking away; reduction; lessening; incompleteness.

The term diminution is used in law to signify that a record submitted by an inferior court to a superior court for review is not complete or not fully certified.

Diminution in market value is a rule of damages, within which the proper measure of damages for permanent injury to real property is the reduction of market value for any use to which the property might be appropriated. It is a rule providing for the before-and-after value of stolen or damaged property.

diminution

views updated May 14 2018

diminution. Contractura or reduction of the diameter of a column-shaft with height: in Antiquity it began from the lowest part of the shaft, but C18 practice began it from about a third of the height. It is associated with entasis.

diminution

views updated May 23 2018

diminution. Shortening of the time-values of the notes of melodic parts. Opposite of augmentation. In canon by diminution the imitating vv. are in shorter notes than the one they are imitating.