Less"en (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lessened (?); 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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.