rarefying
Reducing in density
Rarefying is the present participle of rarefy, meaning to make or become less dense, especially of gases or air.
At high altitudes, the atmosphere rarefies.
The word extends to making something more refined or elevated: rarefying the discourse, rarefying artistic standards.
The spelling rarefying (not rarifying) follows the root word rarefy.
Reducing density or number
- dispersingSpreading widely apart
- scatteringDistribution in many directions
- diffusingSpreading particles or light
- attenuatingReducing in force
spreading · dissipating · diminishing · weakening · reducing · lessening · decreasing · sparse
Purifying through vaporization
- refiningRemoving unwanted elements
- filteringSelective passage of elements
- clarifyingMaking something understandable
- extractingPulling out from within
concentrating · enriching · isolating · purging · cleansing · sifting · separating · sublimating
Measured height above reference
- stratosphereSecond atmospheric layer up
- troposphereLowest atmospheric layer
- exosphereAtmosphere's outermost region
- mesosphereAtmospheric layer, 50-85km up
ionosphere · hypoxia · decompression · thin air · high-altitude · low-pressure · vacuum · diffusion
Hard to find
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
- intangibleNot physically present
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- transientTemporary, soon departing
nebulous · vaporous · evanescent · gossamer · diaphanous · impalpable · insubstantial · delicate
Limited to one group
- eliteSuperior select group
- esotericAccessible to few
- sophisticatedWorldly and cultured
- refinedPurified or cultured
cultivated · discerning · exquisite · precious · select · uncommon · exceptional · singular
thinning
Reducing density or number
- dispersingSpreading widely apart
- scatteringDistribution in many directions
- diffusingSpreading particles or light
attenuating · spreading · dissipating · diminishing · weakening · reducing · lessening · decreasing · sparse · scant
distilling
Purifying through vaporization
- refiningRemoving unwanted elements
- filteringSelective passage of elements
- clarifyingMaking something understandable
extracting · concentrating · enriching · isolating · purging · cleansing · sifting · separating · sublimating · processing
altitude
Measured height above reference
- stratosphereSecond atmospheric layer up
- troposphereLowest atmospheric layer
- exosphereAtmosphere's outermost region
mesosphere · ionosphere · hypoxia · decompression · thin air · high-altitude · low-pressure · vacuum · diffusion · breathless
elusive
Hard to find
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
- intangibleNot physically present
- fleetingPassing very quickly
transient · nebulous · vaporous · evanescent · gossamer · diaphanous · impalpable · insubstantial · delicate · airy
exclusive
Limited to one group
- eliteSuperior select group
- esotericAccessible to few
- sophisticatedWorldly and cultured
refined · cultivated · discerning · exquisite · precious · select · uncommon · exceptional · singular · extraordinary
rarefyingcondensing
Reducing in volume
compressing · densifying · concentrating · thickening · compacting
rarefyingvulgarizing
Making something crude
coarsening · democratizing · popularizing · debasing · cheapening
rare, rarity, rarefied, rarer, rarest, rarified, rarefy, rarefaction, rarefies