dilute

[dih-loot, dahy-; adj. also dahy-loot] /dɪˈlut, daɪ-; adj. also ˈdaɪ lut/
verb (used with object), diluted, diluting.
1.
to make (a liquid) thinner or weaker by the addition of water or the like.
2.
to make fainter, as a color.
3.
to reduce the strength, force, or efficiency of by admixture.
verb (used without object), diluted, diluting.
4.
to become diluted.
adjective
5.
reduced in strength, as a chemical by admixture; weak:
a dilute solution.
Origin
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 forms
diluter, dilutor, noun
dilutive, adjective
antidilutive, adjective
overdilute, verb, overdiluted, overdiluting.
undilute, adjective
undiluted, adjective
undiluting, adjective
Can be confused
dilate, dilute.
Synonyms
3. weaken, temper, mitigate, diminish.
Examples from the web for dilute
  • Plant operators who accept drilling wastewater simply dilute it with regular sewage and then discharge it into water bodies.
  • The urine specific gravity test reveals how concentrated or dilute the urine is.
  • They worry that extending their reach might dilute their brand.
  • We cannot dilute the power of the lender of last resort.
  • dilute finished compost with water to make compost tea.
  • But matter and energy do dilute as the volume of the universe increases, so dark energy slowly came to dominate.
  • Apply a dilute solution of fertilizer in early spring.
  • Water sprays designed to dilute escaping gas were poorly installed and proved ineffective.
  • My biggest problem with these programs is that they dilute the strong names.
  • It has looked for acquisitions abroad, but failed to find any that would not dilute earnings.
British Dictionary definitions for dilute

dilute

/daɪˈluːt/
verb
1.
to make or become less concentrated, esp by adding water or a thinner
2.
to make or become weaker in force, effect, etc: he diluted his story
adjective
3.
(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 water: dilute acetic acid
Derived Forms
dilutee, noun
diluter, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Latin dīluere, from dis- apart + -luere, from lavāre to wash
Word Origin and History for 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.

dilute in Medicine

dilute di·lute (dī-lōōt', dĭ-)
v. di·lut·ed, di·lut·ing, di·lutes
To reduce a solution or mixture in concentration, quality, strength, or purity, as by adding water. adj.
Thinned or weakened by diluting.

di·lu'tive adj.