I. ˈthin adjective
( thin·ner ; thin·nest )
Etymology: Middle English thinne, from Old English thynne; akin to Old High German dunni thin, Latin tenuis thin, tenēre to hold, tendere to stretch, Greek teinein
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : having little extent from one surface to its opposite
thin paper
b. : measuring little in cross section or diameter
thin rope
2. : not dense in arrangement or distribution
thin hair
3. : not well fleshed : lean
4.
a. : more fluid or rarefied than normal
thin air
b. : having less than the usual number : scanty
thin attendance
c. : few in number : scarce
d. : scantily supplied
e. : characterized by a paucity of bids or offerings
a thin market
5.
a. : lacking substance or strength
thin broth
a thin plot
b. of a soil : infertile , poor
6.
a. : flimsy , unconvincing
a thin disguise
b. : disappointingly poor or hard
had a thin time of it
7. : somewhat feeble, shrill, and lacking in resonance
a thin voice
8. : lacking in intensity or brilliance
thin light
9. : lacking sufficient photographic density or contrast
• thin·ly adverb
• thin·ness ˈthin-nəs noun
• thin·nish ˈthi-nish adjective
•
- thin on the ground
Synonyms:
thin , slender , slim , slight , tenuous mean not thick, broad, abundant, or dense. thin implies comparatively little extension between surfaces or in diameter, or it may imply lack of substance, richness, or abundance
thin wire
a thin soup
slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion
the slender legs of a Sheraton chair
slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness
a slim volume of poetry
a slim chance
slight implies smallness as well as thinness
a slight build
tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness
a tenuous thread
II. verb
( thinned ; thin·ning )
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
: to make thin or thinner:
a. : to reduce in thickness or depth : attenuate
b. : to make less dense or viscous
c. : dilute , weaken
d. : to cause to lose flesh
thinned by weeks of privation
e. : to reduce in number or bulk
intransitive verb
1. : to become thin or thinner
2. : to become weak
III. adverb
( thin·ner ; thin·nest )
Date: 13th century
: in a thin manner : thinly — used especially in combination
thin -clad
thin -flowing