diminished

Diminished is an adjective that describes something reduced in size, amount, degree, importance, or intensity. It can be used for physical dimensions, quantities, quality, or status, as in a diminished population, diminished resources, or diminished standing. The term often implies a measurable lessening or a decline from a previous state.

Etymology and usage: Diminished comes from the Latin diminuere, through Old French diminier, into English. It has broad applicability in formal, technical, and everyday language, and it is frequently paired with nouns to indicate a decrease or attenuation of a particular attribute.

In music, diminished denotes either an interval or a chord that is one semitone smaller than its major or perfect counterpart. A diminished triad consists of a root, a minor third, and a diminished fifth (for example, C–E flat–G flat). A fully diminished seventh chord adds a diminished seventh above the root (C–E flat–G flat–B double flat, enharmonically C–E flat–G flat–A). Diminished chords and intervals are commonly used to create tension and a sense of instability that resolves to more stable harmonies.

In law and psychology, diminished forms of liability or capacity refer to reduced mental functioning or diminished responsibility in certain jurisdictions. The phrases diminished capacity or diminished responsibility describe conditions that may affect a person’s actions, judgment, or accountability, though their definitions and applicability vary by legal system.