attenuate

views updated May 18 2018

at·ten·u·ate • v. / əˈtenyoōˌāt/ [tr.] (often be attenuated) reduce the force, effect, or value of: her intolerance was attenuated by a rather unexpected liberalism. ∎  reduce the amplitude of (a signal, electric current, or other oscillation). ∎  [intr.] (of a signal, electric current, or other oscillation) be reduced in amplitude. ∎  [usu. as adj.] (attenuated) reduce the virulence of (a pathogenic organism or vaccine): attenuated strains of rabies virus. ∎  reduce in thickness; make thin.• adj. / -wit; -ˌwāt/ rare reduced in force, effect, or physical thickness.DERIVATIVES: at·ten·u·a·tion / əˌtenyoōˈāshən/ n.

attenuate

views updated May 17 2018

attenuate XVI. f. pp. stem of L. attenuāre, f. AT- + tenuāre f. tenuis THIN; see -ATE3.

Attenuate

views updated May 18 2018

ATTENUATE

To reduce the force or severity; to lessen a relationship or connection between two objects.

In criminal procedure, the relationship between an illegal search and a confession may be sufficiently attenuated as to remove the confession from the protection afforded by the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine, thereby making it admissible as evidence in a criminal prosecution depending upon the facts of the case.