'Diminishing scale' definitions:
Definition of 'Diminishing scale'
From: GCIDE
- Diminish \Di*min"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Diminished; p. pr. & vb. n. Diminishing.] [Pref. di- (= L. dis-) + minish: cf. L. diminuere, F. diminuer, OE. diminuen. See Dis-, and Minish.]
- 1. To make smaller in any manner; to reduce in bulk or amount; to lessen; -- opposed to augment or increase. [1913 Webster]
- Not diminish, but rather increase, the debt. --Barrow. [1913 Webster]
- 2. To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken. [1913 Webster]
- This doth nothing diminish their opinion. --Robynson (More's Utopia). [1913 Webster]
- I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations. --Ezek. xxix. 15. [1913 Webster]
- O thou . . . at whose sight all the stars Hide their diminished heads. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- 3. (Mus.) To make smaller by a half step; to make (an interval) less than minor; as, a diminished seventh. [1913 Webster]
- 4. To take away; to subtract. [1913 Webster]
- Neither shall ye diminish aught from it. --Deut. iv. 2. [1913 Webster]
- Diminished column, one whose upper diameter is less than the lower.
- Diminished scale, or Diminishing scale, a scale of gradation used in finding the different points for drawing the spiral curve of the volute. --Gwilt.
- Diminishing rule (Arch.), a board cut with a concave edge, for fixing the entasis and curvature of a shaft.
- Diminishing stile (Arch.), a stile which is narrower in one part than in another, as in many glazed doors.
- Syn: To decrease; lessen; abate; reduce; contract; curtail; impair; degrade. See Decrease. [1913 Webster]