attenuation
weakening or reduction in force
Roots
- ad- / a-: to, toward, added onto, or intensified
- tenu / tenuis: thin, slender, weak, or stretched
Other words with the tenu / tenuis root
- attenuate: to weaken, thin, or reduce
- extenuate: to make a fault seem less serious
- extenuating: making guilt or blame seem less severe
- tenuity: thinness or slenderness
- tenuous: thin, weak, or slight
Attenuation is the thinning itself: force, sound, light, anger, or evidence losing strength.
The chart showed attenuation of the sound wave as it passed through the wall.
If attenuate is the verb, attenuation is the visible result. Imagine a thick line becoming pale and narrow as it travels.