Main Entry:

¹di·lute

Pronunciation:

\dī-ˈlüt, də-\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

di·lut·ed; di·lut·ing

Etymology:

Latin dilutus, past participle of diluere to wash away, dilute, from di- + lavere to wash — more at lye

Date:

circa 1555

1 : attenuate 2 : to make thinner or more liquid by admixture <diluted wine> 3 : to diminish the strength, flavor, or brilliance of by admixture <dilute a color> 4 : to decrease the per share value of (common stock) by increasing the total number of shares

— di·lut·er or di·lu·tor \-ˈlü-tər\ noun

— di·lu·tive \-ˈlü-tiv\ adjective