immĭnūtĭo (inm-), ōnis, f. [imminuo], a lessening, aiminution; a weakening, impairing, injuring (rare but class.).
I Lit.: pravitas imminutioque corporis, i. e. mutilation , Cic. Fin. 5, 17, 47. —In mal. part., i. q. devirgin tio, a deflowering , Aus. Cent. Nupt. Idyll. 13.—
II Trop.
A In gen.: dignitatis, Cic. Fam. 3, 8, 2: criminis, Quint. 7, 4, 3: malorum, id. 5, 10, 33.—
B In partic., as a figure of speech, the use of a weaker expression for a stronger , Cic. de Or. 3, 54, 207; Quint. 9, 1, 34; 9, 3, 90.