Less·en v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lessened p. pr. & vb. n. Lessening.]  To make less; to reduce; to make smaller, or fewer; to diminish; to lower; to degrade; as, to lessen a kingdom, or a population; to lessen speed, rank, fortune.
     Charity . . . shall lessen his punishment.   --Calamy.
     St. Paul chose to magnify his office when ill men conspired to lessen it.   --Atterbury.
  Syn: -- To diminish; reduce; abate; decrease; lower; impair; weaken; degrade.
  lessening
       n : a change downward; "there was a decrease in his temperature
           as the fever subsided"; "there was a sharp drop-off in
           sales" [syn: decrease, drop-off] [ant: increase]