rarification
|rar-i-fi-ca-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌrærɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌrærɪfɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/
making less dense
Etymology
'rarification' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'rarificare,' where the root 'rarus' meant 'thin' or 'sparse' and 'ficare' (from 'facere') meant 'to make'.
'rarification' changed from Medieval Latin 'rarificatio' (noun) and formed via Latin verb 'rarificare'; it entered English usage as a learned formation analogous to 'rarefaction'.
Initially, it meant 'to make thin or less dense', and over time it has come to mean both the physical process of thinning and a more general idea of making something rarer.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or process of making something less dense or more rarefied; thinning or reduction of density (especially of gases or atmospheres).
The rarification of the air at high altitudes can affect engine performance.
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Noun 2
a figurative process by which something becomes rarer or less common; an increase in scarcity.
The rarification of traditional skills has driven up the price of handmade goods.
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Last updated: 2026/01/16 06:53