attenuate
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at·ten·u·ate
(ă-ten'yū-āt),To dilute, thin, reduce, weaken, diminish.
[L. at-tenuo, pp. -tenuatus, to make thin or weak, fr. tenuis, thin]
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
attenuate
(ə-tĕn′yo͞o-āt′)v. attenu·ated, attenu·ating, attenu·ates
v.tr.
1. To reduce in force, value, amount, or degree; weaken: Medicine attenuated the fever's effect.
2. To lessen the density of; rarefy.
3. Biology To make (bacteria or viruses) less virulent.
4. Electronics To reduce (the amplitude of an electrical signal) with little or no distortion.
v.intr.
To become thin, weak, or fine.
adj. (-yo͞o-ĭt)
1. Reduced or weakened, as in strength, value, or virulence.
2. Botany Gradually tapering to a slender point.
at·ten′u·a′tion n.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
at·ten·u·ate
(ă-ten'yū-āt)To dilute, thin, reduce, weaken, diminish.
[L. at-tenuo, pp. -tenuatus, to make thin or weak, fr. tenuis, thin]
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
attenuate
(of a leaf or plant structure) gradually tapering to a long slender point.Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005