diminution

reduction, decrease

noun dee-mee-noo-SYOHN Rare

Origin: From Latin diminutio, from diminuere 'to lessen'

Usage Note

Diminution refers to a reduction in size, quantity, or intensity — une diminution des prix (a price reduction), une diminution du bruit (a noise reduction). In music it has a technical sense: the repetition of a theme in shorter note values. The verb is diminuer and the adjective diminué can also mean physically or mentally weakened.

Examples

"On observe une diminution du chômage cette année."

Natural Translation

A decrease in unemployment is being observed this year.

Literal Translation

One observes a decrease of-the unemployment this year.

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