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decrease
de·crease • v. / diˈkrēs/ [intr.] become smaller or less in size, amount, intensity, or degree. ∎ [tr.] make smaller or less in size, amount, intensity, or degree: vitamin E has decreased cholesterol levels. • n. / ˈdēˌkrēs; diˈkrēs/ an instance or example of becoming smaller or less. ∎ the action or process of becoming smaller or fewer. PHRASES: on the decrease becoming less common or widespread.DERIVATIVES: de·creas·ing·ly / diˈkrēsinglē/ adv. |
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Cite this article
"decrease." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "decrease." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-decrease.html "decrease." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-decrease.html |
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decrease
decrease grow less. XIV. — OF. de(s)creiss-, pres. stem of de(s)creistre (mod. décroître) :- Rom. *discrēscere, for L. dēcrēscere, f. DE- 6 + crēscere grow.
So decrease sb. XIV. |
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "decrease." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "decrease." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-decrease.html T. F. HOAD. "decrease." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-decrease.html |
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