[at.ten.u.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L attenuatus, pp. of attenuare to make thin, fr. ad- + tenuis thin--more at thin] vt (15c) 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 ~ vi: to become thin, fine, or less -- at.ten.u.a.tion n
[2]at.ten.u.ate adj (15c) 1: attenuated esp. in thickness, density, or force
2: tapering gradually usu. to a long slender point "~ leaves"