rarefy
[ rair-uh-fahy ]
/ ˈrɛər əˌfaɪ /
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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.
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Origin of rarefy
OTHER WORDS FROM rarefy
rar·e·fi·a·ble, adjectiverar·e·fi·er, nounWords nearby rarefy
rare earth, rare-earth element, raree show, rarefaction, rarefied, rarefy, rare gas, rarely, rarely ever, rareripe, raring
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for rarefy
British Dictionary definitions for rarefy
rarefy
/ (ˈrɛərɪˌfaɪ) /
verb -fies, -fying or -fied
to make or become rarer or less dense; thin out
Derived forms of rarefy
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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