dim·i·nu·tion /ˌdɪməˈnuʃən ||ˈnju-/
 減少,縮小,減低


 Dim·i·nu·tion n.
 1. The act of diminishing, or of making or becoming less; state of being diminished; reduction in size, quantity, or degree; -- opposed to augmentation or increase.
 2. The act of lessening dignity or consideration, or the state of being deprived of dignity; a lowering in estimation; degradation; abasement.
    The world's opinion or diminution of me.   --Eikon Basilike.
 Nor thinks it diminution to be ranked
 In military honor next.   --Philips.
 3. Law Omission, inaccuracy, or defect in a record.
 4. Mus. In counterpoint, the imitation of, or reply to, a subject, in notes of half the length or value of those the subject itself.
 Syn: -- Decrease; decay; abatement; reduction; deduction; decrement.

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 diminution
      n 1: change toward something smaller or lower [syn: decline]
      2: the statement of a theme in notes of lesser duration
         (usually half the length of the original) [ant: augmentation]
      3: the act of decreasing or reducing something [syn: decrease,
          reduction, step-down] [ant: increase]