— deflator , n.
/di flayt"/ , v. , deflated, deflating .
v.t.
1. to release the air or gas from (something inflated, as a balloon): They deflated the tires slightly to allow the truck to drive under the overpass.
2. to depress or reduce (a person or a person's ego, hopes, spirits, etc.); puncture; dash: Her rebuff thoroughly deflated me.
3. to reduce (currency, prices, etc.) from an inflated condition; to affect with deflation.
v.i.
4. to become deflated.
[ 1890-95; deflatus blown off, away (ptp. of deflare ), equiv. to de- DE- + fl ( are ) to blow + -atus -ATE 1 ]