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(ls"'n), v. t.[imp. & p. p.Lessened (-'nd); p. pr. & vb. n.Lessening.] [From Less, a.] 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. Less"en v. i.To become less; to shrink; to contract; to decrease; to be diminished; as, the apparent magnitude of objects lessens as we recede from them; his care, or his wealth, lessened. The objection lessens much, and comes to no more than this: there was one witness of no good reputation. Atterbury. スポンサード リンク
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