rarefied

[ rair-uh-fahyd ]
/ ˈrɛər əˌfaɪd /

adjective

extremely high or elevated; lofty; exalted: the rarefied atmosphere of a scholarly symposium.
of, belonging to, or appealing to an exclusive group; select; esoteric: rarefied tastes.

Origin of rarefied

First recorded in 1625–35; rarefy + -ed2

OTHER WORDS FROM rarefied

ul·tra·rar·e·fied, adjective un·rar·e·fied, adjective

Definition for rarefied (2 of 2)

rarefy
[ rair-uh-fahy ]
/ ˈrɛər əˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object), rar·e·fied, rar·e·fy·ing.

to make rare or rarer; make less dense: to rarefy a gas.
to make more refined, spiritual, or exalted.

verb (used without object), rar·e·fied, rar·e·fy·ing.

to become rare or less dense; become thinned: Moisture rarefies when heated.

Origin of rarefy

1350–1400; Middle English rarefien < Middle French rarefier < Latin rārēfacere, equivalent to rārē-, combining form of rārus rare1 (for expected rāri-; orig. of -ē- unclear) + facere to make; see -fy

OTHER WORDS FROM rarefy

rar·e·fi·a·ble, adjective rar·e·fi·er, noun

Example sentences from the Web for rarefied

British Dictionary definitions for rarefied (1 of 2)

rarefied
/ (ˈrɛərɪˌfaɪd) /

adjective

exalted in nature or character; lofty a rarefied spiritual existence
current within only a small group; esoteric or exclusive
(of a gas, esp the atmosphere at high altitudes) having a low density; thin

British Dictionary definitions for rarefied (2 of 2)

rarefy
/ (ˈrɛərɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied

to make or become rarer or less dense; thin out

Derived forms of rarefy

rarefiable, adjective rarefier, noun

Word Origin for rarefy

C14: from Old French raréfier, from Latin rārēfacere, from rārus rare 1 + facere to make