I. (ˈ)dī]|lüt, də̇]ˈl- also ]l|yü- or ]lˈyü-; usu -üd.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin dilutus, past participle of diluere to wash away, dilute, dissolve, partly from di- (from dis- apart) + -luere (from lavere to wash) and partly from di- (from dis- apart) + luere to atone for (akin to Greek lyein to unbind, release) — more at dis- , lye , lose
transitive verb
1. : to make inferior or reduce (as in power or effect)
the quality of the novel is diluted by the bad writing
: make inferior (as in quantity or quality) : debase
dilute the purity of a theory — H.W.Spiegel
2.
a.
(1) : to make thinner or more liquid by admixture (as with water)
(2) : to make less concentrated : diminish the strength, activity, or flavor of (as by thinning or introducing an inert substance)
dilute wine
dilute combustible gases with carbon dioxide
b. : to change (something immaterial) by mixture with extraneous or foreign elements especially with a resulting debasement
Christianity … generously diluted with pagan beliefs — C.L.Jones
intransitive verb
: to become diluted
the iced coffee diluted rapidly
Synonyms: see thin
II. adjective
Etymology: Latin dilutus, past participle of diluere
1. : deprived of its natural or proper force or quality : weak , enfeebled
a dilute form of democracy
2. : diluted , thin : of relatively low strength or concentration — usually contrasted with concentrated
a dilute solution
3. : characterized genetically by reduced pigmentation
• di·lute·ly adverb
• di·lute·ness noun -es
III. “, ˈdilˌyü- noun
( -s )
: an individual exhibiting reduced pigmentation
IV. transitive verb
: to decrease the per share value of (common stock) by increasing the total number of shares