I.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.
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.