— diluter, dilutor , n. — dilutive , adj.
/di looht", duy-/ ; adj. also /duy"looht/ , v. , diluted, diluting , adj.
v.t.
1. to make (a liquid) thinner or weaker by the addition of water or the like.
2. to make fainter, as a color.
3. to reduce the strength, force, or efficiency of by admixture.
v.i.
4. to become diluted.
adj.
5. reduced in strength, as a chemical by admixture; weak: a dilute solution.
[ 1545-55; dilutus washed away, dissolved (ptp. of diluere ), equiv. to di- DI- 2 + -lutus, comb. form of lautus ( lav ( ere ) to wash + -tus ptp. suffix) ]
Syn. 3. weaken, temper, mitigate, diminish.