attenuate
[ verb uh-ten-yoo-eyt; adjective uh-ten-yoo-it, -eyt ]
/ verb əˈtɛn yuˌeɪt; adjective əˈtɛn yu ɪt, -ˌeɪt /
verb (used with object), at·ten·u·at·ed, at·ten·u·at·ing.
verb (used without object), at·ten·u·at·ed, at·ten·u·at·ing.
to become thin or fine; lessen.
adjective
weakened; diminishing.
Botany.
tapering gradually to a narrow extremity.
Origin of attenuate
OTHER WORDS FROM attenuate
Words nearby attenuate
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attention-getting,
attentive,
attentively,
attenuant,
attenuate,
attenuated virus,
attenuation,
attenuator,
attercop,
attest
Example sentences from the Web for attenuated
British Dictionary definitions for attenuated
attenuate
verb (əˈtɛnjʊˌeɪt)
to weaken or become weak; reduce in size, strength, density, or value
to make or become thin or fine; extend
(tr)
to make (a pathogenic bacterium, virus, etc) less virulent, as by culture in special media or exposure to heat
adjective (əˈtɛnjʊɪt, -ˌeɪt)
diluted, weakened, slender, or reduced
botany
tapering gradually to a point
Word Origin for attenuate
C16: from Latin
attenuāre to weaken, from
tenuis thin
Medical definitions for attenuated
attenuate
[ ə-tĕn′yōō-āt′ ]
v.
To reduce in force, value, amount, or degree; weaken; diminish.
To make bacteria or viruses less virulent.
adj.
Reduced or weakened, as in strength, value, or virulence.