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attenuate
[ verb uh-ten-yoo-eyt; adjective uh-ten-yoo-it, -eyt ]
verb (used with object)
- to weaken or reduce in force, intensity, effect, quantity, or value:
to attenuate desire.
- to make thin; make slender or fine.
- Bacteriology, Immunology. to render less virulent, as a strain of pathogenic virus or bacterium.
- Electronics. to decrease the amplitude of (an electronic signal):
A splitter will attenuate your output.
verb (used without object)
- to become thin, fine, or weak; lessen:
Over the years, my anger at my family attenuated and I was able to acknowledge the strengths they had given me.
adjective
- weakened; diminishing.
- Botany. tapering gradually to a narrow extremity.
attenuate
verb
- to weaken or become weak; reduce in size, strength, density, or value
- to make or become thin or fine; extend
- tr to make (a pathogenic bacterium, virus, etc) less virulent, as by culture in special media or exposure to heat
adjective
- diluted, weakened, slender, or reduced
- botany tapering gradually to a point
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Other Words From
- o·ver·at·ten·u·ate verb (used with object) overattenuated overattenuating
- sub·at·ten·u·ate adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of attenuate1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of attenuate1
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Example Sentences
Israeli retaliation of some kind is probably inevitable, but American influence can do much to attenuate the damage it causes.
Her flowing dress of white brocade made no attempt to compress, to sustain or to attenuate.
But before she could attenuate in any way the crudity of her collapse he gave an impatient jerk which took him to the window.
The next day he added: "I am still sore vexed about Sherman, but Chenery did his best to attenuate the mischief."
Nevertheless, I had risen to make this answer, the ill grace of which I strove to attenuate by the courteousness of my attitude.
Involucre globular; the imbricated scales coriaceous and appressed at base, attenuate to long stiff points with hooked tips.
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