attenuate

[ verb uh-ten-yoo-eyt; adjective uh-ten-yoo-it, -eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, at·ten·u·at·ed, at·ten·u·at·ing.

1. to weaken or reduce in force, intensity, effect, quantity, or value:

   to attenuate desire.

2. to make thin; make slender or fine.
3. Bacteriology, Immunology. to render less virulent, as a strain of pathogenic virus or bacterium.
4. Electronics. to decrease the amplitude of (an electronic signal):

   A splitter will attenuate your output.

verb (used without object)

, at·ten·u·at·ed, at·ten·u·at·ing.

1. to become thin, fine, or weak; lessen:

   Over the years, my anger at my family attenuated and I was able to acknowledge the strengths they had given me.

adjective

1. weakened; diminishing.
2. Botany. tapering gradually to a narrow extremity.

attenuate

verb

1. to weaken or become weak; reduce in size, strength, density, or value
2. to make or become thin or fine; extend
3. tr to make (a pathogenic bacterium, virus, etc) less virulent, as by culture in special media or exposure to heat

adjective

1. diluted, weakened, slender, or reduced
2. botany tapering gradually to a point

Other Words From

• o·ver·at·ten·u·ate verb (used with object) overattenuated overattenuating
• sub·at·ten·u·ate adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of attenuate¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin attenuātus (past participle of attenuāre “to make thin, reduce”); at-, tenuis, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of attenuate¹

C16: from Latin attenuāre to weaken, from tenuis thin

Example Sentences

"Seismic waves attenuate rapidly for distances away from the source, and therefore have limited resolution when they reach the depths of interest."

From Science Daily

Mhlanga: "Several lncRNAs play a role in this process, and single-letter differences -- SNP's in other words -- may also enhance or attenuate the effect of this inflammatory process. Further research is needed to understand the combined effect of multiple polymorphisms on these IL-1β-driven immune responses. Ultimately, we want to map all components of IL-1β signaling and trained immunity in order to find out their clinical usability. Importantly, nine out of ten SNPs are in noncoding regions of the genome."

From Science Daily

The researchers were able to show that zooplankton species that are tolerant to oxygen deficiency consume sinking particles and thus attenuate the export fluxes of carbon to the deep sea.

From Science Daily

“For example, individuals have been known to consistently drop the first note or add a tag note at the end, and different parts of the call attenuate at different rates over distance. If there is any question as to whether the bird may be a spotted owl, no removal should occur.”

From Seattle Times

Until now, structures with isotropic porosity have been applied, but these have the drawback that they exponentially attenuate the incident solar radiation as it travels into the reactor.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• vitiate
• weaken