rarefaction


rar·e·fac·tion

noun \ˌrer-ə-ˈfak-shən\

Definition of RAREFACTION

1
: the action or process of rarefying
2
: the quality or state of being rarefied
3
: a state or region of minimum pressure in a medium traversed by compressional waves (as sound waves)
rar·e·fac·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-nəl\ adjective

Origin of RAREFACTION

French or Medieval Latin; French raréfaction, from Medieval Latin rarefaction-, rarefactio, from Latin rarefacere to rarefy
First Known Use: 1572

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