decrement

What it means

1. countableA small quantity removed or lost; one of a series of regular subtractions.
2. uncountableThe subtraction itself; decrease.

   He concluded that in normal group situations, production increased constantly, and reports of "boredness" and tiredness showed constant decrement.

   1940, Contributions to Education, volume 788, page 30

In a sentence

He concluded that in normal group situations, production increased constantly, and reports of "boredness" and tiredness showed constant decrement.

1940, Contributions to Education, volume 788, page 30

Where it comes from

1. Proto-Indo-European*de
2. Proto-Indo-European*déh₁
3. Proto-Italic*dē
4. Latindē
5. Latinde-
6. Proto-Indo-European*ḱer-
7. Proto-Indo-European*ḱreh₁-sḱéti
8. Latincrēscō
9. Latindecresco
10. Latindecrementum
11. Englishdecrement

Borrowed from Latin decrementum.