Pronunciation: ə - ' ten-y ə - ˌ w ā t, -yü- ˌ ā t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -at · ed ; -at · ing
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
– at · ten · u · a · tion \ - ˌ ten-y ə - ' w ā -sh ə n, -yü- ' ā - \ noun