rarefaction

noun

rar·​e·​fac·​tion ˌrer-ə-ˈfak-shən 

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 (such as sound waves)

rarefactional

ˌrer-ə-ˈfak-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Examples of rarefaction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For rarity, for sheer automotive rarefaction, the flagship of BMW’s 2 billion-euro i Division makes those cars look like link sausage. — Dan Neil, WSJ, 31 Aug. 2017

Here is art that turns confectionery into both rarefaction and panache. — Alastair MacAulay, New York Times, 19 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

French or Medieval Latin; French raréfaction, from Medieval Latin rarefaction-, rarefactio, from Latin rarefacere to rarefy

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rarefaction

• benefaction
• counteraction
• interaction
• liquefaction
• putrefaction
• satisfaction
• stupefaction
• tumefaction
• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction

Kids Definition

rarefaction

noun

rar·​efac·​tion

ˌrar-ə-ˈfak-shən, 

ˌrer-

1

: the action or process of rarefying

2

: the state of being rarefied

3

: a state or region of minimum pressure in a substance (as air) being traveled through by a wave formed by compression (as sound)

Medical Definition

rarefaction

noun

rar·​e·​fac·​tion ˌrar-ə-ˈfak-shən, ˌrer- 

1

: the action or process of rarefying

2

: the quality or state of being rarefied

especially : an increase in porosity

areas of rarefaction in the bones

3

: a state or region of minimum pressure in a medium transversed by compressional waves (as sound waves)

the eardrum vibrates according to the compressions and rarefactions of the sound wave

rarefactional

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective