rarefy

American  

[rair-uh-fahy] / ˈrɛər əˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

rarefied, rarefying

1. to make rare or rarer; make less dense.

   to rarefy a gas.

2. to make more refined, spiritual, or exalted.

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verb (used without object)

rarefied, rarefying

1. to become rare or less dense; become thinned.

   Moisture rarefies when heated.

rarefy British  

/ ˈrɛərɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to make or become rarer or less dense; thin out

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Other Word Forms

• rarefiable adjective
• rarefier noun

Etymology

Origin of rarefy

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English rarefien, from Middle French rarefier, from Medieval Latin rārificāre, from Latin rārēfacere, equivalent to rārē-, irregular, unexplained combining form of rārus + facere “to make”; rare ¹, -fy

Example Sentences

Although these sculptures pay tribute to commercialism, they rarefy it to something austere — or at least as austere as anything with pulsing green lights can be.

From Washington Post • Apr. 19, 2018

Of course it’s serious, and art is serious, but I’m not going to rarefy it.”

From New York Times • Dec. 16, 2011

It contains moist air and a movable diaphragm or piston to rarefy it suddenly.

From Time Magazine Archive

But extend this vapour, rarefy it; from so narrow a room as our natural bodies, to any politic body, to a state.

From Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions Together with Death's Duel by Donne, John

But as such means are not at disposal, it becomes necessary to place the terminal in the bulb and rarefy the air in the same.

From The inventions, researches and writings of Nikola Tesla With special reference to his work in polyphase currents and high potential lighting by Martin, Thomas Commerford

Related Words

• attenuate