minish

[min-ish]

verb (used with or without object)

Archaic.

1. to diminish or lessen.

Word History and Origins

Origin of minish¹

1300–50; late Middle English, variant (assimilated to -ish ² ) of menuse < Middle French menu ( i ) sier < Vulgar Latin *minūtiāre to lessen. See minute ², mince

Example Sentences

"I guess I feel lucky," Minish said of his encounter with the bear, after someone told him it’s better than being dead.

From Fox News

Allen Minish was alone and surveying land for a real estate agent in a wooded, remote part of Alaska, putting some numbers into his GPS unit when he looked up and saw a large brown bear walking about 30 feet away.

From Fox News

Minish, 61, has had his share of bear encounters over the 40 years he’s lived in Alaska, but nothing like this.

From Seattle Times

“I guess I feel lucky,” Minish said of his encounter with the bear, after someone told him it’s better than being dead.

From Seattle Times

The mauling left Minish with a crushed jaw, a puncture wound in his scalp so deep the doctor told him he could see bone, lacerations and many stitches after a 4½-hour surgery.

From Seattle Times

When To Use

What does minish mean?

Minish means the same thing as diminish—to make or become smaller, fewer, or less.Minish is considered archaic, which means it was once in regular usage but is now largely unused.Example: Our forces have minished, and we must draw back.