di|min|u|en|do

di|min|u|en|do «duh _MIHN yu EHN doh», noun, plural -dos, adjective, adverb, verb. -doed, -do|ing.

–n.

1. a gradual lessening of loudness. In music the sign for a diminuendo is dim., dimin., or >. SYNONYM(S): decrescendo.

2. a passage to be played or sung with a diminuendo.

–adj., adv.

with a diminuendo: »

Figurative. All he could hear for a while was the buzzing and chirring and clicking of metallic insects, diminuendo, receding through a lead tube, far away (Punch).

SYNONYM(S): decrescendo.

–v.i.

to decrease gradually in loudness; become fainter: »

Figurative. “Don't say that,” he began to howl and diminuendoed down to a mutter (Manchester Guardian Weekly).

╂[< Italian diminuendo, present participle of diminuire diminish]