rarefact

R1A1R1E1F4A1C3T1

verb

To reduce in density.

OriginMiddle French raréfaction →
Scrabble 13
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Meanings

verbrarefact (third-person singular simple present rarefacts, present participle rarefacting, simple past and past participle rarefacted)

present singular third person rarefacts · participle present rarefacting · participle past rarefacted · past rarefacted

  1. ambitransitiveTo reduce in density.

    As the ultrasound wave compresses and rarefacts through the medium, it causes microbubbles in the tissue to contract and expand.

    2013, Beth Schrope, Surgical and Interventional Ultrasound

Origin

  1. Middle Frenchraréfaction
  2. Englishrarefact

From Middle French raréfaction.

More words from Middle French

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Polish rozrzedzać, rozrzedzić
  • rozrzedzaćreduce in density
  • rozrzedzićreduce in density
  • rozcieńczaćreduce in density
  • rozcieńczyćreduce in density
Russian разреди́ть
  • разреди́ть (razredítʹ)reduce in density
Cite this entry
APA

rarefact. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rarefact

MLA

“rarefact.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rarefact. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “rarefact,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rarefact.

Source: rarefact on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.