• vt. 使减少；使变小
• vi. 减少，缩小；变小

di-, 表加强。-min, 小，词源同minus,minute. 即缩小，缩减。

diminish

diminish: [15] Diminish is a hybrid verb, the result of a marriage between the now obsolete diminue [14] and the virtually obsolete minish [14], both of which meant ‘make smaller’. Diminue came via Old French diminuer from Latin dīminuere ‘break into small pieces’; it was a compound verb formed from the prefix dē- ‘from’ and minuere ‘lessen’ (source of English minute). Minish came via Old French menuiser from Vulgar Latin *minūtiāre, a derivative of Latin minūtus ‘small’; this, bringing the history of diminish full circle, was an adjectival use of the past participle of minuere.
=> minute

diminish (v.)

early 15c., from merger of two obsolete verbs, diminue and minish. Diminue is from Old French diminuer "make small," from Latin diminuere "break into small pieces," variant of deminuere "lessen, diminish," from de- "completely" + minuere "make small" (see minus).

Minish is from Old French menuisier, from Latin minuere. Related: Diminished; diminishes; diminishing.

1. Federalism is intended to diminish the power of the central state.

联邦制旨在削弱中央政府的权力。

来自柯林斯例句

2. We should try to diminish the cost of production.

我们应尽力减少生产成本.

来自《简明英汉词典》

3. As people approach old age, their energies may diminish.

接近老年时, 人的精力就衰退了.

来自《简明英汉词典》

4. Diminish the revenue by reducing tax.

由于减税而使这个国家的税收减少.

来自《简明英汉词典》

5. He likes to diminish the skill of others.

他喜欢贬低别人的技术.

来自《现代英汉综合大词典》