thinning

thin  (thn)

adj. thin·ner, thin·nest

1.

a. Relatively small in extent from one surface to the opposite, usually in the smallest solid dimension: a thin book.

b. Not great in diameter or cross section; fine: thin wire.

2. Lean or slender in form, build, or stature.

3.

a. Not dense or concentrated; sparse: the thin vegetation of the plateau.

b. More rarefied than normal: thin air.

4.

a. Flowing with relative ease; not viscous: a thin oil.

b. Watery: thin soup.

5. Sparsely supplied or provided; scanty: a thin menu; thin trading.

6. Lacking force or substance; flimsy: a thin attempt.

7. Lacking resonance or fullness; tinny: The piano had a thin sound.

8. Lacking radiance or intensity: thin light.

9. Not having enough photographic density or contrast to make satisfactory prints. Used of a negative.

adv.

1. In a thin manner: Spread the varnish thin if you don't want it to wrinkle.

2. So as to be thin: Cut the cheese thin.

tr. & intr.v. thinned, thin·ning, thins

To make or become thin or thinner.

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[Middle English, from Old English thynne; see ten- in Indo-European roots.]

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thinly adv.

thinness n.

thinnish adj.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

thinning - the act of diluting something; "the cutting of whiskey with water"; "the thinning of paint with turpentine" cutting dilution - weakening (reducing the concentration) by the addition of water or a thinner