Etymology Map
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Diminish

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to make or become less

Where does the word "diminish" come from? It comes from Latin deminuere, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
deminuere
Latin · ancient
"to lessen"
'de-' plus 'minuere', to lessen
2
Stage 2 of 3
diminuer
Old French · medieval
"to lessen"
blended with English 'minish'
3
Stage 3 of 3
diminish
English · 1400s
"to lessen"
'diminishing returns' dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Diminish’s story begins in Latin: deminuere meant “to lessen.” 'de-' plus 'minuere', to lessen. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as diminuer. Blended with English 'minish'. It reached English by 1400s as diminish. 'diminishing returns' dates from the 1800s. Today, diminish means to make or become less.