lessen

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To make less; to diminish; to reduce.

   a. 1686, Benjamin Calamy, a sermon Charity […] shall lessen his punishment.

2. 2
   conj

   unless.

   Ober closed his encomium with the serious statement that “Lessen he could marry Miss Jennie he would be a bachelor the balance of his life," to which the drayman replied that " If Oi were Miss Janie Oi'd black yer oi the minute ye thought of such a thing. The oidee."

3. 3
   verb

   decrease in size, extent, or range

4. 4
   verb

   wear off or die down

5. 5
   verb

   make smaller

6. 6
   verb

   To become less.

Etymology

From Middle English lessenen, lasnen, equivalent to less + -en (verbal suffix).