diluted
UK[daɪˈluːtɪd]US[daɪˈluːtɪd]
adj
(of a liquid) made weaker or thinner by having had water or another solvent added to it.
adj
(of a quality, feeling, or concept) weakened in force, content, or value.
Morpheme Breakdown
di
lute
ed
di
apart, away
lute
wash
ed
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word 'diluted' originates from the latin verb 'diluere', which is a compound of 'dis-' (apart) and 'luere' (to wash). the literal sense was "to wash away, dissolve, or separate by washing." this entered middle english via the latin past participle 'dilutus'. the core logic of washing something away to reduce its concentration transitioned seamlessly from the physical act of thinning a liquid to the metaphorical weakening of abstract qualities like intensity, purity, or value. the suffix '-ed' marks its adjectival form, describing the state of having undergone this process.
Analysis
Structure: di (apart, away) + lute (wash) + ed (adjective suffix)
di- is a latin prefix meaning "apart, away". lute is from the latin root 'luere', a form of 'lavare', meaning "to wash". -ed is an english suffix used to form adjectives from verbs or nouns, indicating a state or condition.
Examples
the diluted orange juice tasted much less sweet.
his authority was diluted after the management restructuring.
add water until you have a diluted solution of the cleaning agent.