rarefaction

[ rair-uh-fak-shuh n ]
/ ˌrɛər əˈfæk ʃən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR rarefaction ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act or process of rarefying.
the state of being rarefied.

Origin of rarefaction

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

OTHER WORDS FROM rarefaction

rar·e·fac·tion·al, adjective rar·e·fac·tive [rair-uh-fak-tiv] /ˌrɛər əˈfæk tɪv/, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rarefaction

diffraction diffusion reflection rarefaction refraction

Words nearby rarefaction

rare earth, rare gas, rare-earth element, rarebit, raree show, rarefaction, rarefied, rarefy, rarely, rarely ever, rareripe

Words related to rarefaction

distillation, clarification, void, gap, regeneration, purgation, absolution, atonement, forgiveness, grace, rebirth, washing, redemption, refinement, ablution, purge, catharsis, baptism, salvation, bathing

Example sentences from the Web for rarefaction

British Dictionary definitions for rarefaction

rarefaction

rarefication (ˌrɛərɪfɪˈkeɪʃən)

/ (ˌrɛərɪˈfækʃən) /

noun

the act or process of making less dense or the state of being less dense

Derived forms of rarefaction

rarefactional, rareficational or rarefactive, adjective

Medical definitions for rarefaction

rarefaction
[ râr′ə-făk′shən ]

n.

A decrease in density and pressure in a medium, such as air, caused by the passage of a sound wave.

Scientific definitions for rarefaction

rarefaction
[ râr′ə-făk′shən ]

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.
The region in which this occurs.