decrescendo (cresc as kresh)

[Ital.] Mus.: Decreasing gradually the volume of tone. It is indicated in music by the abbreviations Dec., Decres., or the sign > Whether there was origi nally any difference between decrescendo and diminuendo or not, at present the two terms appear to be convertible. ( Grove .) de-creet, *de-creit, s. [DECREE, 8.] děc'-re-ment, s. [ Latin dec remen tum; from decresco to decrease (q. v.).]