lessen的过去式

1. 减少，变少，减轻，变小，缩小，减小
2. 使减轻，使变小，使变少，削减
3. 藐视
4. 贬低，轻视，看不起
5. 减缓，减弱
6. 下降
7. 暗下去
8. 渐渐西沉

1. decrease in size, extent, or range;

   "The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester"
   "The cabin pressure fell dramatically"
   "her weight fell to under a hundred pounds"
   "his voice fell to a whisper"
   

2. make smaller;

   "He decreased his staff"
   

3. wear off or die down;

   "The pain subsided"
   

1.（使）缩小；（使）减少；（使）减轻
If somethinglessens or youlessen it, it becomes smaller in size, amount, degree, or importance.

lessen

e.g. He is used to a lot of attention from his wife, which will inevitablylessen when the baby is born...
他习惯了妻子对他的百般关注，但孩子出生后这种关注就会不可避免地减少。
e.g. Make sure that your immunisations are up to date tolessen the risk of serious illness.
要确保接种最新的疫苗，以降低患上严重疾病的危险。

• Amongst the lessening throng of dancers.

  出自：Percy White

• Soon the rain lessened.

  出自：D. Johnson

decrease，diminish，lessen，reduce，dwindle

这些词的共同含义是“减少，变少”。

decrease指逐渐地、不断地减少。

diminish侧重大小、数量和重要性的不断减小，强调减小的部分。

lessen普通用词，与decrease近义。指数目、程度、价值、实力等的减少。

reduce普通用词，含义广。指数量、程度的降低或减少。

dwindle与decrease同义，指逐渐减小，但强调变得越来越少终至全无。