di·lute

[dih-loot, dahy-; adj. also dahy-loot] verb, di·lut·ed, di·lut·ing, adjective
verb (used with object)
1.
to make (a liquid) thinner or weaker by the addition of water or the like.
2.
to make fainter, as a color.
3.
to reduce the strength, force, or efficiency of by admixture.
verb (used without object)
4.
to become diluted.
adjective
5.
reduced in strength, as a chemical by admixture; weak: a dilute solution.

Origin:
1545–55; < Latin dīlūtus washed away, dissolved (past participle of dīluere), equivalent to dī- di-2 + -lūtus, combining form of lautus (lav(ere) to wash + -tus past participle suffix)

di·lut·er, di·lu·tor, noun
di·lu·tive, adjective
an·ti·di·lu·tive, adjective
o·ver·di·lute, verb, o·ver·di·lut·ed, o·ver·di·lut·ing.
un·di·lute, adjective
un·di·lut·ed, adjective
un·di·lut·ing, adjective

dilate, dilute.


3. weaken, temper, mitigate, diminish.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
dilute (daɪˈluːt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
1.  to make or become less concentrated, esp by adding water or a thinner
2.  to make or become weaker in force, effect, etc: he diluted his story
 
adj
3.  chem
 a.  (of a solution, suspension, mixture, etc) having a low concentration or a concentration that has been reduced by admixture
 b.  (of a substance) present in solution, esp a weak solution in water: dilute acetic acid
 
[C16: from Latin dīluere, from dis- apart + -luere, from lavāre to wash]
 
dilu'tee
 
n
 
di'luter
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

dilute
1550s, from L. dilutus, pp. of diluere "dissolve, wash away, dilute," from dis- "apart" + -luere, comb. form of lavere "to wash" (see lave). Related: Diluted.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

dilute di·lute (dī-l&oomacr;t', dĭ-)
v. di·lut·ed, di·lut·ing, di·lutes
To reduce a solution or mixture in concentration, quality, strength, or purity, as by adding water. adj.
Thinned or weakened by diluting.


di·lu'tive adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Example sentences
Plant operators who accept drilling wastewater simply dilute it with regular sewage and then discharge it into water bodies.
Though not as important as the lower house, the upper house can cause frustrating delays and dilute policy.
Solvents are used to dilute paint so that it can be sprayed in a fine, even
  mist.
Remaining within the realm of his own imagination, he need not worry about
  pesky clients who can dilute a project into mediocrity.
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