attenuated

[ uh-ten-yoo-ey-tid ]

adjective

1. weakened:

   My father had a somewhat attenuated relationship with his own family, as his childhood was quite traumatic.

2. thin; slender or fine:

   Images of the conjoined twins’ brains reveal an attenuated line stretching between the two organs, called a thalamic bridge.

3. Bacteriology, Immunology. (of a strain of disease-causing virus or bacterium) rendered less virulent:

   The attenuated poliovirus in the Sabin vaccine replicates very efficiently in the gut, but less so in the nervous system.

4. Electronics. (of an electronic signal) reduced in amplitude:

   Accuracy decreases in the case of reflected or attenuated signals—for example, inside buildings.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of attenuate ( def ).

Other Words From

• sub·at·ten·u·at·ed adjective
• un·at·ten·u·at·ed adjective
• un·at·ten·u·at·ed·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of attenuated¹

attenuate ( def ) + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Over a professional career attenuated by injuries, he earned a Most Valuable Player Award and championship titles with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Boston Celtics.

From New York Times

The anti-abortion movement’s victory was really attenuated by this ballot measure, and they are now gearing up for a tough campaign.

From New York Times

Ms. Freund, who wrote a recent paper on the subject, said the two countries’ trade relationship was “definitely being attenuated, but not as much as the official statistics suggest.”

From New York Times

With these ethical concerns attenuated, the scientists have shifted their focus to the positive dimensions of their invention — its potential, for example, as a tool to restore communication.

From Salon

The nasal spray vaccine, which is not widely available, that’s an attenuated form of influenza virus.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• extraordinary
• limited
• occasional
• scarce
• singular
• strange
• subtle
• uncommon
• unique
• unlikely
• unthinkable
• unusual