| / English Dictionary |
LESSENED
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Impaired by diminution
Synonyms:
diminished; lessened; vitiated; weakened
Classified under:
Similar:
impaired (diminished in strength, quality, or utility)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Decreased in severity; made less harsh
Classified under:
Similar:
mitigated (made less severe or intense)
II. (verb)
Sense 1
Past simple / past participle of the verb lessen
Context examples:
His loss was not now what it had been while the general was at home; it lessened their gaiety, but did not ruin their comfort; and the two girls agreeing in occupation, and improving in intimacy, found themselves so well sufficient for the time to themselves, that it was eleven o'clock, rather a late hour at the abbey, before they quitted the supper-room on the day of Henry's departure.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
The instant, however, that I had stepped over the threshold, he moved impulsively forward, and holding out his hand grasped mine with a strength which made me wince, an effect which was not lessened by the fact that it seemed as cold as ice—more like the hand of a dead than a living man.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
She tried in a blind, hopeless way to do her duty, secretly rebelling against it all the while, for it seemed unjust that her few joys should be lessened, her burdens made heavier, and life get harder and harder as she toiled along.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
The comfort of such a friend at that moment as Colonel Brandon—or such a companion for her mother,—how gratefully was it felt!—a companion whose judgment would guide, whose attendance must relieve, and whose friendship might soothe her!—as far as the shock of such a summons COULD be lessened to her, his presence, his manners, his assistance, would lessen it.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
A laugh went up at my appearance,—a laugh that was not lessened or softened by the dead man stretched and grinning on the deck before us; a laugh that was as rough and harsh and frank as the sea itself; that arose out of coarse feelings and blunted sensibilities, from natures that knew neither courtesy nor gentleness.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
But Emma's wonder lessened soon afterwards, on seeing Mr. Elton sauntering about.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
The moon had disappeared from the night, and again, with a lessened form, showed itself, while I still remained in the forest.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
Anne's good-will, however, was not to be lessened by what she heard.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
A second look showed her that the living eyes, under the bushy eyebrows, were kinder even than the painted ones, and there was a sly twinkle in them, which lessened her fear a good deal.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
How Miss Crawford really felt, how she meant to act, or might act without or against her meaning; whether his importance to her were quite what it had been before the last separation; whether, if lessened, it were likely to lessen more, or to recover itself, were subjects for endless conjecture, and to be thought of on that day and many days to come, without producing any conclusion.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
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