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单词 rarefied
释义

rarefied

adjective

rar·​e·​fied ˈrer-ə-ˌfīd How to pronounce rarefied (audio)
variants or less commonly rarified
1
: being less dense
2
: of, relating to, or interesting to a select group : esoteric
3
: very high

Did you know?

Rarefied was formed from the verb rarefy, which derives from a combination of the Latin rarus ("thin" or "rare") with facere ("to make") and has meant "to make thin" since the 14th century. In its original uses back in the 1500s, the adjective rarefied was on the lean side too; it meant "made less dense" (as in "the fog lifted and we could breathe more easily in the rarefied air"). By the 17th century, rarefy had gained the sense "to refine or purify," and over time rarefied followed suit.

Example Sentences

It's difficult to breathe in the rarefied air near the mountain's peak.
Recent Examples on the Web But Adrienne Trier-Bieniek, a sociology professor at Valencia College who studies gender and media, says Doyle has long since ascended to more rarefied heights. Ellen Mccarthy, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2022 Collectors of the Swiss watch brand Greubel Forsey breathe the industry’s most rarefied air. Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 29 Aug. 2022 The Mega Millions jackpot is ascending into rarefied air. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 23 July 2022 On Sunday night, Hudson entered the rarefied air of being a competitive EGOT winner — that's someone who has won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 13 June 2022 Investors have to decide if there really is a future in this rarefied market for Aston Martin. Neil Winton, Forbes, 1 Aug. 2022 The defendant publishers take issue with the rarefied nature of the government bringing a monopsony case. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 July 2022 The chef’s younger son, Marlon, 20, made sure to keep his father on track, reminding the elder to avoid the kind of ingredients that push up prices — and push Frank’s into more rarefied territory. Tim Carman, Washington Post, 27 June 2022 The most obvious logic here is that clothing that resists the algorithm, that doesn’t scan bombastically on social media, is the most rarefied stuff of all. Rachel Tashjian, Harper's BAZAAR, 6 July 2022 See More

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

rarefied

adjective

as in weightless

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
  • weightless
  • buoyant
  • vaporous
  • unsubstantial
  • lightweight
  • diaphanous
  • cumulous
  • gauzy
  • dainty
  • wispy
  • flimsy
  • insubstantial
  • lighter-than-air
  • feathery
  • ethereal
  • delicate
  • cobwebby
  • downy
  • gossamer
  • gauzelike
  • tender
  • fluffy
  • airy
  • pillowy
  • gossamery
  • light

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • heavy
  • solid
  • substantial
  • leaden
  • unwieldy
  • ponderous
  • firm
  • cumbersome
  • bulky
  • burdensome
  • hefty
  • lumpish
  • weighty
  • hulking
See More
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更新时间:2024/9/22 17:23:31