Definition of "dilute"

dilute

/daɪˈljuːt/

verb
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.
  Quotations
  Mix their watery store / With the chyle's current, and dilute it more.
  1712, Richard Blackmore, Creation: A Philosophical Poem
2. (transitive) To weaken, especially by adding a foreign substance.
  Quotations
  For if these Colours be diluted and weakened by the Mixture of any adventitious light, the distance between the places of the Paper will not be so great.
  1704, I[saac] N[ewton], “[The First Book of Opticks. Part I.]”, in Opticks: Or, A Treatise of the Reflexions, Refractions, Inflexions and Colours of Light. […], London: […] Sam[uel] Smith, and Benj[amin] Walford, printers to the Royal Society, […], page 36
  “Stay a little.”“Not another second: language and discussion dilute thought; I will say no more.”
  1856, L. S. Lavenu, chapter XXXIII, in Erlesmere; or, Contrasts of Character‎, volume 1, London: Smith, Elder & Co., page 336
3. (transitive, stock market) To cause the value of individual shares or the stake of a shareholder to decrease by increasing the total number of shares.
4. (intransitive) To become attenuated, thin, or weak.
adjective
comparative more dilute, superlative most dilute
1. Having a low concentration.
2. Weak; reduced in strength by dilution; diluted.
3. Of an animal: having a lighter-coloured coat than is usual.
noun
plural dilutes
1. An animal having a lighter-coloured coat than is usual.
  Quotations
  On average, blues and other dilutes have weaker coats and skin problems seem more prevalent in the dilutes.
  2000, Joe Stahlkuppe, American Pit Bull Terrier Handbook, page 131

Definition of "dilute"

dilute

verb

Quotations

Quotations

adjective

noun

Quotations