Less"en (lĕs"'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.