diminish

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

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.

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