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definitions

dilute

[dih-loot, dahy-; adjective dahy-loot]
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verb (used with object), di·lut·ed, di·lut·ing.

to make (a liquid) thinner or weaker by the addition of water or the like.
to make fainter, as a color.
to reduce the strength, force, or efficiency of by admixture.

verb (used without object), di·lut·ed, di·lut·ing.

to become diluted.

adjective

reduced in strength, as a chemical by admixture; weak: a dilute solution.

Origin of dilute

1545–55; < Latin dīlūtus washed away, dissolved (past participle of dīluere), equivalent to dī- di-2 + -lūtus, combining form of lautus (lav(ere) to wash + -tus past participle suffix)
Related formsdi·lut·er, di·lu·tor, noundi·lu·tive, adjectivean·ti·di·lu·tive, adjectiveo·ver·di·lute, verb, o·ver·di·lut·ed, o·ver·di·lut·ing.un·di·lute, adjectiveun·di·lut·ed, adjectiveun·di·lut·ing, adjective
Can be confuseddilate dilute

Synonyms for dilute

3. weaken, temper, mitigate, diminish.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for dilutive

dilute

verb

to make or become less concentrated, esp by adding water or a thinner
to make or become weaker in force, effect, etche diluted his story

adjective

chem
  1. (of a solution, suspension, mixture, etc) having a low concentration or a concentration that has been reduced by admixture
  2. (of a substance) present in solution, esp a weak solution in waterdilute acetic acid
Derived Formsdilutee, noundiluter, noun

Word Origin for dilute

C16: from Latin dīluere, from dis- apart + -luere, from lavāre to wash
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for dilutive

dilute

v.

1550s, from Latin dilutus, past participle of diluere "dissolve, wash away, dilute," from dis- "apart" + -luere, comb. form of lavere "to wash" (see lave). Related: Diluted; diluting. As an adjective from c.1600.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
dilutive in Medicine

dilute

[dī-lōōt′, dĭ-]

v.

To reduce a solution or mixture in concentration, quality, strength, or purity, as by adding water.

adj.

Thinned or weakened by diluting.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.