| Answer | Crossword Clue |
|---|---|
| crank | to cause to diminish or terminate |
| tapering | Diminish or reduce or cause to diminish or reduce in thickness toward one end |
| end | to cause to stop; terminate; finish |
| lubricate | to oil or grease, esp. to diminish friction |
| stegnotic | a drug tending to render costive, or to diminish excretions or discharges generally |
| DOWNSIZE | Diminish the work force ... or a literal hint to the answers to the four starred clues |
