thin

thin [thin]

adj.

thinner, thinnest [ME thinne < OE thynne, akin to Ger dünn < IE * tenu-, thin < base * ten-, to stretch > L tenuis, thin, tenere, to hold, tendere & Gr teinein, to stretch]

1. having relatively little depth; of little extent from one surface or side to the opposite [thin paper]

2. having relatively small diameter in relation to length [thin thread]

3. having little fat or flesh; lean; gaunt; slender

4. having the constituent elements small in number and not close together; specif.,

a) scanty in growth; sparsely distributed [thin hair]

b) small in size or number [thin receipts]

c) lacking body; not thick in consistency; watery [thin soup]

d) not dense or heavy [thin smoke, a thin snowfall]

e) rarefied, as air at high altitudes

5. of little intensity; dim; faint; pale [thin colors]

6. of little volume or resonance; high-pitched and weak [a thin voice]

7. light or sheer, as fabric

8. easily seen through; flimsy or unconvincing [a thin excuse]

9. lacking solidity, substance, or vigor; slight, weak, vapid, etc. [a thin plot, thin argument]

10. Photog. lacking in DENSITY (sense 1c): said of an underexposed or underdeveloped negative or print

adv.

thinner, thinnest

in a thin way

vt., vi.

thinned, thinning [ME thinnen < OE (ge)thynnian < the adj.]

to make or become thin or thinner, as in dimension, density, etc.: Often with out, down, etc.

thinly

adv.

thinness

n.