dilution

/dai'lu:ʃn/

Thân thiện

The scientist performs a dilution by adding water to the concentrated blue solution.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The process of making a liquid weaker or thinner by adding another substance, especially water: This is the primary meaning, referring to the act of reducing the concentration of a solute in a solution.
   • A diluted substance: The result of the dilution process; a solution that has been made less concentrated.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The dilution of the acid with water is a critical safety step. (The process of making the acid weaker by adding water is a critical safety step.)
  • This cleaning solution is a dilution of the concentrated formula. (This cleaning solution is a weaker version of the concentrated formula.)

Advanced Usage

• "Serial dilution": A stepwise dilution of a substance in solution, often used in scientific and medical laboratories.

  • The lab technician performed a serial dilution to obtain a measurable concentration of the bacteria.

• "Dilution of ownership": (Figurative) A reduction in the percentage of a company owned by existing shareholders when new shares are issued.

  • The new funding round caused a dilution of ownership for the original founders.

• "Dilution of brand": (Figurative) The weakening of a brand's identity or value, often by over-extension or inconsistent messaging.

  • Launching too many low-quality products risks dilution of the brand.

Variants and Related Words

• Dilute (verb): To make a liquid weaker or less concentrated by adding another substance.
  • Always dilute the bleach before using it.
• Diluent (noun): A substance used for diluting something.
  • Water is a common diluent.
• Undiluted (adjective): Not diluted; pure and full-strength.
  • He expressed his undiluted anger.

Synonyms

• Thinning: The act of making something less thick or dense.
• Weakening: The act of reducing the strength or intensity of something.
• Attenuation: The reduction of the force, effect, or value of something.

Antonyms

• Concentration: The action or process of making a substance stronger or more concentrated.
• Strengthening: The act of making something stronger.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Dilution is the solution to pollution": (Proverb) A humorous, often criticized saying suggesting that dispersing a pollutant into a large volume of water or air is an acceptable way to handle it. This phrase is typically used to critique poor environmental practices.
  • The old factory's motto seemed to be "dilution is the solution to pollution."

Học thuật

Noun

1. weakening (reducing the concentration) by the addition of water or a thinner
2. a diluted solution