the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > make less active or vigorous (11)
To render less active or vigorous. Obsolete.
transitive. To make less strict or severe; to mitigate, tone down; to make less forceful. Also intransitive.
To render less vigorous or eager; to cause to fall off or decline.
transitive. To repress, to curb; to lessen the vigour or activity of (the mind, body, spirits, etc.); to stop, thwart (a person, action, etc.). rare…