attenuant, a. and n.
(əˈtɛnjuːənt)
Also 8 -ent.
[a. F. atténuant, ad. L. attenuāntem, pr. pple. of attenuāre to attenuate: see -ant.]
A. adj. Having the property of attenuating; spec. in Med. of thinning the humours or secretions.
| 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 642 (R.) They put into the stomach those things that be attenuant. 1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters III. 151 The attenuent diluting..qualities of the water. 1855 Doran Hanover Q. II. i. 11 [Eringo] root was attenuant and deobstruent. |
B. n. A drug or agent having this property.
| 1725 Huxham in Phil. Trans. XXXIII. 392 One seasonable vomit..acting as an Attenuant. 1830 Lindley Nat. Syst. Bot. 67 The fruit of..Belleric Myrobalan is an astringent, tonic, and attenuant. |