[f. as prec. + -ING2.]
† 1. In transitive senses: Disparaging; degrading, lowering. Obs.
1674. N. Fairfax, Bulk & Selv., 138. This kind of leaping not being successive, but all together, ’tis but even a lessening and underly way of speaking to call it Motion.
1704. Trapp, Abra-Mulé, IV. i. 1965. I’ll strip off this vile less’ning Habit And deck myself with all the Pomp of War.
a. 1705. Berkeley, Comm.-pl. Bk., Wks. 1871, IV. 426. The most lessening, vilifying appellations.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 255, ¶ 8. Such Indecencies as are lessening to his Reputation.
2. In intr. senses: Growing less, diminishing.
1730. Swift, Power of Time. If Mountains sink to Vales, if Cities die, And less’ning Rivers mourn their Fountains dry.
1792. S. Rogers, Pleas. Mem., II. 45. From Guinea’s coast pursue the lessening sail.
1810. Scott, Lady of L., I. iv. And of the trackers of the deer Scarce half the lessening pack was near.
1895. P. White, A King’s Diary, 8. Amongst the lessening throng of dancers.
