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- DictionaryAt·ten·u·ate
verb
- 1. reduce the force, effect, or value of: "this research provides a glimmer of hope that coral reefs can attenuate the effects of ocean acidification"
- 2. reduce in thickness; make thin.
adjective
- 1. reduced in force, effect, or physical thickness: rare "the doctrines of Christianity became very attenuate and distorted"
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.
to weaken or reduce in force, intensity, effect, quantity, or value: to attenuate desire. to make thin; make slender or fine. Bacteriology, Immunology. to render less virulent, as a strain of pathogenic virus or bacterium. Electronics. to decrease the amplitude of (an electronic signal): A splitter will attenuate your output.
to make something less or weaker: Radiation from the sun is attenuated by the earth's atmosphere. They propose more peacekeeping troops to attenuate the violence. to make something longer and thinner: The artist has attenuated the limbs. Fewer examples. The tax code is one of the few tools we have in attenuating income inequality.
formal us / əˈten.ju.eɪt / uk / əˈten.ju.eɪt / Add to word list. to make something less or weaker: Radiation from the sun is attenuated by the earth's atmosphere. They propose more peacekeeping troops to attenuate the violence. to make something longer and thinner: The artist has attenuated the limbs. Fewer examples.
Attenuate is a verb that means to make or become weaker. The effects of aging may be attenuated by exercise — or by drinking from the fountain of youth. The versatile word attenuate denotes a weakening in amount, intensity, or value.
Definition of attenuate verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
1. to weaken or become weak; reduce in size, strength, density, or value. 2. to make or become thin or fine; extend. 3. (Microbiology) ( tr) to make (a pathogenic bacterium, virus, etc) less virulent, as by culture in special media or exposure to heat. adj. 4. diluted, weakened, slender, or reduced. 5. (Botany) botany tapering gradually to a point.
