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

First recorded in 1520–30, attenuate is from the Latin word attenuātus (past participle of attenuāre to thin, reduce). See at-, tenuis, -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM attenuate

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-tĕnyōō-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.