From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
dwindling
adj 1: gradually decreasing until little remains [syn:
dwindling, tapering, tapering off]
n 1: a becoming gradually less; "there is no greater sadness
that the dwindling away of a family" [syn: dwindling,
dwindling away]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
dwindling \dwindling\ adj.
gradually decreasing until little remains.
Syn: tapering, tapering off.
[WordNet 1.5]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
dwindling \dwindling\ n.
the act or process of becoming gradually less until little
remains; as, there is no greater sadness that the dwindling
away of a family.
Syn: dwindling away.
[WordNet 1.5]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Dwindle \Dwin"dle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Dwindled; p. pr. & vb.
n. Dwindling.] [From OE. dwinen to languish, waste away,
AS. dw[imac]nan; akin to LG. dwinen, D. dwijnen to vanish,
Icel. dv[imac]na to cease, dwindle, Sw. tvina; of uncertain
origin. The suffix -le, preceded by d excrescent after n, is
added to the root with a diminutive force.]
To diminish; to become less; to shrink; to waste or consume
away; to become degenerate; to fall away.
[1913 Webster]
Weary sennights nine times nine
Shall he dwindle, peak and pine. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Religious societies, though begun with excellent
intentions,
are said to have dwindled into factious clubs. --Swift.
[1913 Webster]