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attenuare

to attenuate; to reduce

verb at-teh-noo-AH-reh Less Common
Descriptions & Qualities Degree

Origin: Latin attenuare, from tenuis (thin)

Also means

to soften; to tone down

Usage Note

Attenuare means to reduce the strength, intensity, or impact of something. It is common in formal and medical contexts: attenuare il dolore ('to alleviate the pain'), attenuare le differenze ('to reduce the differences'). The reflexive attenuarsi means 'to diminish/subside' on its own.

Examples

"Il rumore si è attenuato col tempo."

Natural Translation

The noise has subsided over time.

Literal Translation

The noise itself is attenuated with-the time.

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