DILUTE, verb transitive [Latin , to wash. See Deluge.]

1. Literally, to wash; but appropriately, to render liquid, or more liquid; to make thin, or more fluid. Thus sirup or molasses is made thin or more liquid by an admixture with water; and the water is said to dilute it. Hence,

2. To weaken, as spirit or an acid, by an admixture of water, which renderst the spirit or acid less concentrated. Thus, we dilute spirit, wine or a decoction by adding to it water.

3. To make weak or weaker, as color, by mixture.

4. To weaken; to reduce the strength or standard of; as, to dilute virtue.

DILUTE, adjective Thin; attenuated; reduced in strength, as spirit or color.