Rarefied

Pronunciation: /ˈrɛrəˌfaɪd/

Definitions of rarefied

adjective of, belonging to, or characteristic of a high or exclusive social class; lofty and refined; esoteric or difficult to understand

Example Sentences

A1 The air at the top of the mountain was rarefied and difficult to breathe.

A2 The scientist discovered a rarefied species of butterfly in the Amazon rainforest.

B1 The exclusive club was known for its rarefied atmosphere and high membership fees.

B2 The artist's work was considered rarefied by critics, appealing only to a select group of art enthusiasts.

C1 The philosopher's ideas were so rarefied that they were difficult for the average person to understand.

C2 The rarefied world of haute couture fashion is known for its exclusivity and high prices.

Examples of rarefied in a Sentence

formal The rarefied air at the top of the mountain made it difficult to breathe.

informal Only a few people have access to that rarefied level of society.

slang Getting into that exclusive club is like entering a rarefied world.

figurative The artist's work exists in a rarefied realm of creativity.

Grammatical Forms of rarefied

• past tense: rarefied
• plural: rarefieds
• comparative: more rarefied
• superlative: most rarefied
• present tense: rarefies
• future tense: will rarefy
• perfect tense: have rarefied
• continuous tense: is rarefying
• singular: rarefied
• positive degree: rarefied
• infinitive: to rarefy
• gerund: rarefying
• participle: rarefied

Origin and Evolution of rarefied

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'rarefied' originated from the Latin word 'rarus' meaning 'thin' or 'sparse' and the suffix '-fied' from the Latin 'facere' meaning 'to make'.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in the context of air or gases becoming less dense, 'rarefied' has evolved to also describe something refined, exclusive, or esoteric due to its association with high altitudes where only a select few can reach.