Rarefaction
noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A reduction in the density of a material, especially that of a fluid. countable, uncountable
"[T]his ſeal'd vial, being broken under water, ſuck'd in a conſiderable quantity of it, whether, becauſe of ſome little rarefaction of the Air included in the ſealing, or becauſe of the infrigidation of that Air by the ſnow, or for both theſe Reaſons, or any other, I ſhall not Now diſpute."
- 2 a decrease in the density of something wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
More examples"[T]his ſeal'd vial, being broken under water, ſuck'd in a conſiderable quantity of it, whether, becauſe of ſome little rarefaction of the Air included in the ſealing, or becauſe of the infrigidation of that Air by the ſnow, or for both theſe Reaſons, or any other, I ſhall not Now diſpute."
Etymology
From Middle French raréfaction. By surface analysis, rarefy + -faction.