rarefy

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To make rare, thin, porous, or less dense.
  2. To become rare, thin or less dense.

Pronunciation

/ˈɹɛəɹəˌfaɪ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-rarefy.wav

Word forms

rarefy rarefies rarefying rarefied rarify

Etymology

From Middle English rarefien, from Old French rarefier (French raréfier), from Latin rarefacere (“make rare”). By surface analysis, rare + -fy.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related words

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