rarefied

rarefied
[[t]re͟ərɪfaɪd[/t]]
1) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n (disapproval) If you talk about the rarefied atmosphere of a place or institution, you are expressing your disapproval of it, because it has a special social or academic status that makes it very different from ordinary life.

...the fear and loneliness that working class students can feel when they are plunged into the rarefied atmosphere of university...

It is important for the state's future administrators to get out of the rarefied air of the capital.

2) ADJ-GRADED Rarefied air is air that does not contain much oxygen, for example in mountain areas.

Both animals and people were gasping for breath in the rarefied air.

...living at very high altitudes where the atmosphere is rarefied.


English dictionary. 2008.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • rarefied — [adj] exclusive cliquish, elevated, esoteric, exalted, lofty, private, select; concept 554 Ant. commonplace …   New thesaurus

  • rarefied — ► ADJECTIVE 1) (of air) of lower pressure than usual; thin. 2) very esoteric or refined …   English terms dictionary

  • rarefied — rar|e|fied [ˈreərıfaıd US ˈrer ] adj [usually before noun] 1.) a rarefied place, organization, or type of activity is only available to or understood by a small group of people used to show disapproval ▪ the rarefied atmosphere of academia 2.)… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • rarefied — adjective 1 often humorous rarefied ideas, opinions etc can only be understood by, or only involve, one small group of people: the rarefied atmosphere of international diplomacy 2 rarefied air is the air in high places, which has less oxygen than …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • rarefied — /rair euh fuyd /, adj. 1. extremely high or elevated; lofty; exalted: the rarefied atmosphere of a scholarly symposium. 2. of, belonging to, or appealing to an exclusive group; select; esoteric: rarefied tastes. [1625 35; RAREFY + ED2] * * * …   Universalium

  • rarefied — rar|e|fied [ rerə,faıd ] adjective 1. ) intended for a small group of people who are especially intelligent, rich, powerful, etc. This word often shows that you think people like this believe they are better than ordinary people: a glimpse into… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • rarefied — UK [ˈreərɪfaɪd] / US [ˈrerəˌfaɪd] adjective 1) intended for a small group of people who are very intelligent, rich, powerful etc. This word often shows that you think people like this believe they are better than ordinary people a glimpse into… …   English dictionary

  • rarefied — rar•e•fied [[t]ˈrɛər əˌfaɪd[/t]] adj. 1) lofty or elevated; exalted: the rarefied atmosphere of a scholarly symposium[/ex] 2) appealing to or exemplifying an exclusive group; select; esoteric: rarefied tastes[/ex] • Etymology: 1625–35 …   From formal English to slang

  • Rarefied — Rarefy Rar e*fy (r[a^]r [ e]*f[imac]; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Rarefied} (r[a^]r [ e]*f[imac]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Rarefying} (r[a^]r [ e]*f[imac] [i^]ng).] [F. rar[ e]fier; L. rarus rare + ficare (in comp.) to make; cf. L. rarefacere. See { fy} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • rarefied — adjective a) Esoteric. The air at the top of a high mountain is rarefied. b) Less dense than usual …   Wiktionary

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