attenuate

1.

/əˈtɛnyuˌeɪt/

become weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude

2.

/əˈtɛnjuɪt/

reduced in strength

Other forms: attenuated; attenuating; attenuates

Attenuate is a verb that means to make or become weaker. The effects of aging may be attenuated by exercise — or by drinking from the fountain of youth.

The versatile word attenuate denotes a weakening in amount, intensity, or value. As a verb, attenuate is usually transitive, meaning it needs an object to be complete, such as in the sentence: "This tanning process tends to attenuate the deer hide, making it softer." The word can be intransitive in past tense, as in "The rain attenuated, ending the storm." And it can even be used as an adjective to describe something weakened: "Even an attenuated solution will remove the stain."

Definitions of attenuate (/əˈtɛnyuˌeɪt/)

1. verb

   become weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude
   types:

   refine

   attenuate or reduce in vigor, strength, or validity by polishing or purifying

   type of:

   weaken

   become weaker
2. verb

   weaken the consistency of (a chemical substance)
   synonyms: rarefy

   type of:

   nerf, weaken

   lessen the strength of