lessened

2 definitions found

lessened - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Lessen \Less"en\ (l[e^]s"'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.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Charity . . . shall lessen his punishment. --Calamy.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           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.
          [1913 Webster]

lessened - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  lessened
      adj 1: impaired by diminution [syn: diminished, lessened,
             vitiated, weakened]
      2: decreased in severity; made less harsh