LESSENING
decrease, lessening, drop-off
(noun) a change downward; “there was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsided”; “there was a sharp drop-off in sales”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Verb
lessening
present participle of lessen
Noun
lessening (plural lessenings)
A growing lesser; reduction or decrease.
Source: Wiktionary
LESSEN
Less"en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lessened; p. pr. & vb. n. Lessening.]
Etym: [From Less, a. ]
Definition: 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.
Less"en, v. i.
Definition: 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition