In the 16th century, Turkish women could divorce their husbands if the man failed to keep his family’s pot filled with coffee.
lessens
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of lessen
• sensels
Source: Wiktionary
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
10 May 2025
(verb) declare (a dead person) to be blessed; the first step of achieving sainthood; “On Sunday, the martyr will be beatified by the Vatican”
In the 16th century, Turkish women could divorce their husbands if the man failed to keep his family’s pot filled with coffee.