Advertisement
Advertisement
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
Discover More
Other Words From
- o·ver·at·ten·u·ate verb (used with object) overattenuated overattenuating
- sub·at·ten·u·ate adjective
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of attenuate1
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of attenuate1
Discover More
Example Sentences
RNA vaccines were developed as an alternative to the standard method of vaccination using attenuated or inactivated microorganisms.
By 1885, Pasteur would take his ideas one step further, injecting slurried concoctions containing attenuated rabies virus into the stomach of a young boy to save the boy’s life, and inventing the first lab-made vaccine.
Moreover, the chimera was attenuated in mice as compared to the parental mouse-adapted virus, so this would be considered a loss of function.
The Department of Education did this broad survey on prevention programs attempting to attenuate youth substance and crime and aspects like that.
The future role of the national agencies will be attenuated—becoming more akin to an airport rather than to an airline.
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.
Advertisement
Word of the Day
[ak-suh-lot-l ]
Meaning and examplesStart each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!
By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse