Attenuation

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -eɪʃən

Origin

From Latin attenuātiō ("a diminishing")

Full definition of attenuation

Noun

1. A gradual diminishing in the strength of something.
2. (physics) A reduction in the level of some property with distance, especially the amplitude of a wave or the strength of a signal.
3. (biology) A weakening in the virulence of a pathogen or other microorganism.
4. (botany) The tapering of a leaf etc to a fine point.
5. (engineering) A fabrication process in which a material is stretched out into a thin shape.

Related terms

• attenuate
• tenuous
• thin