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attenuate

Definition of attenuate

[with object]

1reduce the force, effect, or value of:her intolerance was attenuated by an unexpected liberalism
reduce the amplitude of (a signal, electric current, or other oscillation): the filter must severely attenuate frequencies above 10 Hz
reduce the virulence of (a pathogenic organism or vaccine):researchers hoped that the substance would attenuate the course of the disease

rare

reduced in force, effect, or physical thickness: the doctrines of Christianity became very attenuate and distorted

Derivatives

mid 16th century: from Latin attenuat- 'made slender', from the verb attenuare, from ad- 'to' + tenuare 'make thin' (from tenuis 'thin')

Definition of attenuate in the US English dictionary

Nearby words