diminished

/di'miniʃt/

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Explanation of "Diminished"

Definition: The word "diminished" is an adjective that means something has been made smaller or less, especially in value, size, strength, or importance.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "diminished" to describe feelings, abilities, physical conditions, or even musical notes.
• It often refers to a reduction that happens over time or as a result of some action or condition.

Examples:

1. Feelings/Importance: "After her harsh comments, I felt diminished in my self-worth."
2. Physical Condition: "His ability to walk has diminished due to the injury he sustained last year."
3. Musical Context: "In music, a diminished chord is one that sounds tense and unresolved."

Advanced Usage:

• In technical or professional contexts, "diminished" can refer to specific changes in fields like music or medicine. For example, in music, a "diminished fifth" is a specific interval that is smaller than a perfect fifth.

Word Variants:

• Diminish (verb): to make something smaller or less.
  • Example: "The excitement of the event diminished as it approached."
• Diminishment (noun): the process of becoming smaller or less.
  • Example: "There was a noticeable diminishment in her enthusiasm."

Different Meanings:

1. General Reduction: Referring to any decrease in size, strength, or value.
2. Musical Context: Specifically refers to a certain type of interval in music theory.
3. Medical Context: Describes a loss of function or strength, often due to injury or disease.

Synonyms:

• Reduced
• Lessened
• Decreased
• Weakened
• Abated

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Diminished returns": This phrase refers to a point at which the level of profits gained is less than the amount of money or energy invested.

  • Example: "Investing more time in the project led to diminished returns."

• "Diminish in importance": To become less significant or important over time.

  • Example: "His role in the company has diminished in importance since the new CEO took over."

Conclusion:

"Diminished" is a versatile word that you can use in various contexts, from expressing how you feel to discussing music or health.

Academic

Adjective

1. made to seem smaller or less (especially in worth)
   • her comments made me feel small
2. (of musical intervals) reduction by a semitone of any perfect or minor musical interval
   • a diminished fifth
3. (of an organ or body part) diminished in size or strength as a result of disease or injury or lack of use
   • partial paralysis resulted in an atrophied left arm
4. impaired by diminution

Synonyms

• belittled
• small
• atrophied
• wasted
• lessened
• vitiated
• weakened