attenuation.html - v. & adj.
--v.

tr.
1 make thin.
2 reduce in force, value, or virulence.
3 Electr. reduce the amplitude of (a signal or current).

--adj.

1 slender.
2 tapering gradually.
3 rarefied.

attenuated adj. attenuation n. attenuator n. [L attenuare (as AD-, tenuis thin)]

attenuation.html - v.
1 tr. a be present at (attended the meeting). b go regularly to (attends the local school).
2 intr. a be present (many members failed to attend). b be present in a serving capacity; wait.
3 a tr. escort, accompany (the king was attended by soldiers). b intr. (foll. by on) wait on; serve.
4 intr. a (usu. foll. by to) turn or apply one's mind; focus one's attention (attend to what I am saying; was not attending). b (foll. by to) deal with (shall attend to the matter myself).
5 tr. (usu. in passive) follow as a result from (the error was attended by serious consequences).

attender n. [ME f. OF atendre f. L attendere (as AD-, tendere tent- stretch)]

attenuation.html - n.
1 the act of attending or being present.
2 the number of people present (a high attendance).

attendance allowance (in the UK) a State benefit paid to disabled people in need of constant care at home. attendance centre Brit. a place where young offenders report by order of a court as a minor penalty. [ME f. OF atendance (as ATTEND, -ANCE)]

attenuation.html - n. & adj.
--n.

a person employed to wait on others or provide a service (cloakroom attendant; museum attendant).

--adj.

1 accompanying (attendant circumstances).
2 waiting on; serving (ladies attendant on the queen). [ME f. OF (as ATTEND, -ANT)]

attenuation.html - n.
a person who attends (a meeting etc.).

attenuation.html - n. & int.
--n.

1 the act or faculty of applying one's mind (give me your attention; attract his attention).
2 a consideration (give attention to the problem). b care (give special attention to your handwriting).
3 (in pl.) a ceremonious politeness (he paid his attentions to her). b wooing, courting (she was the subject of his attentions).
4 Mil. an erect attitude of readiness (stand at attention).

--int.

(in full stand at attention!) an order to assume an attitude of attention. [ME f. L attentio (as ATTEND, -ION)]