attenuated; attenuating
Definition of attenuate
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: to lessen the amount, force, magnitude, or value of : weaken
… shows great skill in the use of language to moderate or attenuate the impact of awkward facts.— Bernard Lewis
2
: to reduce the severity, virulence, or vitality of
an attenuated virus
3
: to make thin or slender
Glass can be attenuated into fibers.
4
: to make thin in consistency : rarefy
attenuate oil by heating it
: to become thin, fine, or less
attenuate
adjectiveDefinition of attenuate (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: reduced especially in thickness, density, or force
the attenuate limbs of a starving person
2
: tapering gradually usually to a long slender point
attenuate leaves
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for attenuate
The first known use of attenuate was in the 15th century
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