dilute

English

Etymology

From Latin dilutus, from diluere (“to wash away, dissolve, cause to melt, dilute”), from di-, dis- (“away, apart”) + luere (“to wash”). See lave, and compare deluge.

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /daɪˈljuːt/
  • (US) IPA(key): /daɪˈlut/, /dɪˈlut/
  • Rhymes: -uːt

Verb

dilute (third-person singular simple present dilutes, present participle diluting, simple past and past participle diluted)

  1. (transitive) To make thinner by adding solvent to a solution, especially by adding water.
    • Blackmore
      Mix their watery store / With the chyle's current, and dilute it more.
  2. (transitive) To weaken, especially by adding a foreign substance.
    • Sir Isaac Newton
      Lest these colours should be diluted and weakened by the mixture of any adventitious light.
  3. (transitive, stock market) To cause the value of individual shares to decrease by increasing the total number of shares.
  4. (intransitive) To become attenuated, thin, or weak.
    It dilutes easily.

Translations

Adjective

dilute (comparative more dilute, superlative most dilute)

  1. Having a low concentration.
    Clean the panel with a dilute, neutral cleaner.
  2. Weak; reduced in strength by dilution; diluted.
  3. Of an animal: having a lighter-coloured coat than is usual.
    a dilute calico
    a cat with a dilute tortoiseshell coat

Translations
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Translations to be checked

Noun

dilute (plural dilutes)

  1. An animal having a lighter-coloured coat than is usual.
    • 2000, Joe Stahlkuppe, American Pit Bull Terrier Handbook (page 131)
      On average, blues and other dilutes have weaker coats and skin problems seem more prevalent in the dilutes.

See also

References
  • dilute in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
  • dilute in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Latin

Participle

dīlūte

  1. vocative masculine singular of dīlūtus
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