rarified

• Décrit quelque chose de raffiné, élevé ou exclusif ; souvent utilisé pour désigner des cercles intellectuels ou sociaux très sélectifs, ou un air raréfié (littéralement).

Describes something that is elevated, refined, or exclusive; often used to refer to intellectual or social circles that are highly selective.

1. C1formal

   Having low density, especially of air or atmosphere.

   Raréfié (air de faible densité)

   • The air at high altitudes is rarified and difficult to breathe.
   • Mountaineers must adapt to the rarified atmosphere of the peaks.
   • The rarified air in the desert made the heat feel even more intense.

   Synonymeslightraresubtletenuousthin

   Antonymesdensethick

2. Elevated or exclusiveC1formal

   Of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style; belonging to a select or exclusive group.

   Élevé et exclusif

   • The discussion moved into rarified philosophical territory.
   • He moved in rarified circles of academia and high finance.
   • Her taste in art was considered too rarified for the general public.

   Synonymeselevatedesotericetherealexaltedexclusivehigh-mindedloftynoblerefinedselect

   Antonymescommonordinaryplebeianpopularvulgar

• Verbe rare ou littéraire signifiant rendre rare, raréfié ou moins dense ; raréfier.

An obsolete verb meaning to make rare, thin, or less dense; to rarefy.

1. Make more complex or refinedC2formal

   To make something more intricate, sophisticated, or refined in nature.

   Rendre plus complexe ou raffiné

   • The author sought to rarify the plot with subtle symbolism.
   • His arguments were designed to rarify the philosophical debate.
   • The artist's later works rarify the themes of his earlier period.

   Synonymescultivateelaboratepolishrefinesophisticate

   Antonymescoarsensimplify