De*crease" , n. [OE.
decrees, OF. decreis, fr.
decreistre. See Decrease, v.]
1. A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease of revenue or of
strength.
2. The wane of the moon. Bacon.
De*crease" , v. t. To cause to grow
less; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance
decreases one's
means.
That might decrease their present store.
Prior.
De*crease" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Decreased (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Decreasing.]
[OE. decrecen,
fr. OF. decreistre, F. décroître, or from the OF. noun (see Decrease, n.), fr. L. decrescere
to grow less; de + crescere to grow. See
Crescent, and cf.
Increase.] To grow less, -- opposed to increase; to be diminished gradually, in size, degree, number, duration, etc., or in strength, quality, or excellence; as, they days decrease in length from June to December.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
John iii. 30. Syn. -- To Decrease, Diminish. Things usually decrease or fall off by
degrees, and from within, or through some cause which is imperceptible; as, the flood
decreases; the cold
decreases; their affection has
decreased. Things commonly diminish by an influence from without, or one which
is apparent; as, the army was diminished by disease; his property is diminishing
through extravagance; their affection has
diminished since their
separation their separation. The turn of thought, however, is often such
that these words may be interchanged.
The olive leaf, which certainly them told
The flood decreased.
Drayton. Crete's ample fields diminish to our eye;
Before the Boreal blasts the vessels fly.
Pope.
Hear it pronounced