1. Having low density
   "lightheaded from the rarefied mountain air";
   - rare, rarified
    
2. Of superior moral, intellectual, or spiritual quality; rising above the ordinary or mundane
   "The professor's lectures dealt with rarefied philosophical concepts";
   - exalted, elevated, sublime, grand, high-flown, lofty, rarified

1. Lessen the density or solidity of
   "The bones are rarefied";
   - rarify [rare]
    
2. (chemistry) weaken the consistency of (a chemical substance)
   "They rarefied the gas by heating it";
   - attenuate, rarify [rare]
    
3. Make more subtle or refined
   "The philosopher rarefied the concept to its essence";
   - sublimate, subtilize, rarify [rare], subtilise [Brit]
    
4. Make more complex, intricate, or rich
   "rarefy a design or pattern";
   - complicate, refine, rarify [rare], elaborate

See also: high-minded, idealistic, noble, noble-minded, thin

Type of: alter, change, modify, weaken

Encyclopedia: Rarefied