Di*mid`i*a"tion (?), n. [L. dimidiatio.] The act of dimidiating or halving; the state of being dimidiate.
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.
Not diminish, but rather increase, the debt.
Barrow.
2. To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken.
This doth nothing diminish their opinion.
Robynson (More's Utopia).