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de·cre·scen·do

(dā′krə-shĕndō, dē′-) Music

adv. & adj. Abbr. dec.

With gradually diminishing force or loudness. Used chiefly as a direction.

n. pl. de·cre·scen·dos

1. A gradual decrease in force or loudness.

2. A decrescendo passage.

[Italian, gerund of decrescere, to decrease, from Latin dēcrēscere; see DECREASE.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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