decrement

[ dek-ruh-muhnt ]

noun

1. the act or process of decreasing; gradual reduction.
2. the amount lost by reduction.
3. Mathematics. a negative increment.
4. Physics. the ratio of amplitudes of a damped harmonic motion in the course of two successive oscillations.

decrement

/ ˈdɛkrɪmənt /

noun

1. the act of decreasing; diminution
2. maths a negative increment
3. physics a measure of the damping of an oscillator, expressed by the ratio of the amplitude of a cycle to its amplitude after one period
4. (of spectra) a sequence of related spectrum lines decaying in intensity, e.g. Balmer decay

Other Words From

• dec·re·men·tal [dek-r, uh, -, men, -tl], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of decrement¹

First recorded in 1475–85; from Latin dēcrēmentum, equivalent to dēcrē(tus) ( decrease ) + -mentum -ment

Word History and Origins

Origin of decrement¹

C17: from Latin dēcrēmentum, from dēcrescere to decrease

Example Sentences

"There's no good evidence that it causes a long-term or permanent decrement in your memory, but it definitely interferes with people's ability to sort of encode new information."

From Salon

The best evidence shows children “read faces” even if masked, and people compensate for decrements in acoustical performance, talking more slowly, loudly and gesturing.

From Seattle Times

We are all humans and we are all prone to the performance decrements of fatigue.

From Washington Post

“It might mean accepting a decrement to your performance — that this was your comeback event where you adapted and got on track,” Trappe said.

From Washington Post

“But the administration should be acknowledging that it is in fact a readiness decrement.”

From New York Times