Attenuate



GRE 蓝宝 Barron

解释

GRE 红宝书

(Girls are on diet to attenuate their weight)

• v.变薄v.变薄
• ［英］ v.变薄 ( to make slender) ; 变弱 ( to lessen; weaken)
• ［记］ at+ten ( 拉) +uate -> 一再拉 -> 变弱
• ［同］ 派生词: attenuation n. 稀薄, 稀释; 减弱, 减少 同根词: tenable ( 攻得下的) ; tenacity ( 顽固, 固执)

Webster Collegiate

I. adjective

• Etymology: Middle English attenuat, from Latin attenuatus, past participle of attenuare to make thin, from ad- + tenuis thin — more at thin
• Date: 15th century
• 1. reduced especially in thickness, density, or force
• 2. tapering gradually usually to a long slender point attenuate leaves

II. verb (-ated; -ating)

• Date: 1530
• transitive verb
  • 1. to make thin or slender
  • 2. to make thin in consistency ; rarefy
  • 3. to lessen the amount, force, magnitude, or value of ; weaken
  • 4. to reduce the severity, virulence, or vitality of an attenuated virus
• intransitive verb
  • to become thin, fine, or less
• • attenuation noun

记忆

At + tenu + ate If tenu(=you) eat(ate) less you will attenuate.

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