diminution
/dɪmɪˈnjuːʃən/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 2.40 in modern English
13
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
4
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
a compositional technique where the composer shortens the melody by shortening its note values.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "The new emission standards have produced a measurable diminution in air pollution."
- "Another part, feeling a diminution of confidence in him, still hope that the general tenor of his conduct will be essentially right."
- "Cold is usually shapeless, I suppose, extending over large spaces equally, or with gradual diminution."
- "Scenic illusions such as those caused by the haze, or the apparent diminution of scale where everything was enormous, intrigued Dutton."
Etymology
From Middle English diminucioun, from Anglo-Norman diminuciun, Old French diminucion, from Latin dīminūtiō.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: diminucioun, diminuciun, diminucion, dīminūtiō