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View synonyms for rarefaction

rarefaction

[ rair-uh-fak-shuhn ]

noun

  1. the act or process of rarefying.
  2. the state of being rarefied. rarefy.


rarefaction

/ ˌrɛərɪfɪˈkeɪʃən; ˌrɛərɪˈfækʃən /

noun

  1. the act or process of making less dense or the state of being less dense
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


rarefaction

/ râr′ə-făkshən /

  1. A decrease in density and pressure in a medium, such as air, especially when caused by the passage of a wave, such as a sound wave.
  2. The region in which this occurs.


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Derived Forms

  • ˌrareˈfactional, adjective
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Other Words From

  • rare·faction·al adjective
  • rar·e·fac·tive [rair-, uh, -, fak, -tiv], adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of rarefaction1

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin rārēfactiōn- (stem of rārēfactiō ), equivalent to Latin rārēfact ( us ) (past participle of rārēfacere; rarefy ) + -iōn- -ion
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Example Sentences

He spoke in honeymoon whispers; but the rarefaction of the air was such that every word was audible.

This condition of a greater separation of the turns of the spring than usual is called a rarefaction.

A complete wave consisting of a condensation and a rarefaction is represented by that portion of the curve A-C.

So that if in this condensation any one affirmeth there is also some rarefaction, experience may assert it.

The rarefaction of the air and the rays of tile sun increased the dilatation of the gas; the balloon continued to ascend!

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