rarefied
[ rair-uh-fahyd ]
/ ˈrɛər əˌfaɪd /
adjective
extremely high or elevated; lofty; exalted: the rarefied atmosphere of a scholarly symposium.
of, belonging to, or appealing to an exclusive group; select; esoteric: rarefied tastes.
Nearby words
rare gas, rare-earth element, rarebit, raree show, rarefaction, rarefied, rarefy, rarely, rarely ever, rareripe, raring
Related forms
ul·tra·rar·e·fied, adjectiveun·rar·e·fied, adjectiveDefinition for rarefied (2 of 2)
rarefy
[ rair-uh-fahy ]
/ ˈrɛər əˌfaɪ /
verb (used with object), rar·e·fied, rar·e·fy·ing.
to make rare or rarer; make less dense: to rarefy a gas.
to make more refined, spiritual, or exalted.
verb (used without object), rar·e·fied, rar·e·fy·ing.
to become rare or less dense; become thinned: Moisture rarefies when heated.
Origin of rarefy
Related forms
rar·e·fi·a·ble, adjectiverar·e·fi·er, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for rarefied
British Dictionary definitions for rarefied (1 of 2)
rarefied
/ (ˈrɛərɪˌfaɪd) /
adjective
exalted in nature or character; loftya rarefied spiritual existence
current within only a small group; esoteric or exclusive
(of a gas, esp the atmosphere at high altitudes) having a low density; thin
British Dictionary definitions for rarefied (2 of 2)
rarefy
/ (ˈrɛərɪˌfaɪ) /
verb -fies, -fying or -fied
to make or become rarer or less dense; thin out
Derived Forms
rarefiable, adjectiverarefier, nounWord Origin for rarefy
C14: from Old French raréfier, from Latin rārēfacere, from rārus rare 1 + facere to make
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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