Cases of word usage

1) (to cause fears, a bad smell, smoke etc) to go away gradually (dissipate)

2) to become gradually less or smaller (dwindle)

3) (to cause an idea, kind of animal or plant etc) to develop naturally and (usually) gradually (evolve)

4) a sudden attack (into a country etc), especially to steal supplies; to use something up, obtain success in something etc gradually (inroad)

5) (to cause business companies) to become one unit; to fade or change gradually into something (merge)

6) (of supplies, sound etc) to come gradually to an end (peter)

7) (to cause a person, thing) to move smoothly over, slip along, a polished surface; to act gradually in the way mentioned without being fully aware (slide)

8) (to cause something) to become gradually narrower towards one end; a length of string with a covering of wax, burnt to give a light (taper)

9) to make a hollow or tunnel under (an area of ground); to weaken (health, confidence etc) gradually (undermine)

10) to reduce the size of something by cutting away parts etc; to reduce the size of something gradually (whittle)