Definition of: decrease

(di·krēs′) v.t. & v.i. ·creased, ·creasing
To grow, or cause to grow, less or smaller; diminish, especially by a gradual process; abate; reduce.
—noun (usually dē′krēs)
1. The act, process, or state of decreasing.
2. The amount or degree of loss; diminution. See synonyms under ABATE, IMPAIR, RETRENCH. [<OF decreiss-, stem of decreistre <L decrescere <de- down + crescere grow]
—de·creas′ing·ly adverb