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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Decrease \De*crease"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Decreased}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Decreasing}.] [OE. decrecen, fr. OF. decreistre, F.
d['e]cro[^i]tre, or from the OF. noun (see {Decrease}, n.),
fr. L. decrescere to grow less; de crescere to grow. See
{Crescent}, and cf. {Increase}.]
To grow less, -- opposed to increase; to be diminished
gradually, in size, degree, number, duration, etc., or in
strength, quality, or excellence; as, they days decrease in
length from June to December.
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He must increase, but I must decrease. --John iii.
30.

Syn: To {Decrease}, {Diminish}.

Usage: Things usually decrease or fall off by degrees, and
from within, or through some cause which is
imperceptible; as, the flood decreases; the cold
decreases; their affection has decreased. Things
commonly diminish by an influence from without, or one
which is apparent; as, the army was diminished by
disease; his property is diminishing through
extravagance; their affection has diminished since
their separation their separation. The turn of
thought, however, is often such that these words may
be interchanged.
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The olive leaf, which certainly them told
The flood decreased. --Drayton.
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Crete's ample fields diminish to our eye;
Before the Boreal blasts the vessels fly.
--Pope.
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Decrease \De*crease"\, v. t.
To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as,
extravagance decreases one's means.
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That might decrease their present store. --Prior.
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Decrease \De*crease"\, n. [OE. decrees, OF. decreis, fr.
decreistre. See {Decrease}, v.]
1. A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease
of revenue or of strength.
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2. The wane of the moon. --Bacon.
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