deflate

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb collapse by releasing contained air or gas
  2. verb release contained air or gas from
  3. verb reduce or lessen the size or importance of

Etymology

From de- + (in)flate. Coined in 1891, in reference to balloons. Equivalent to Latin dē- (“away, from”) + Latin flō (“blow”) + -ate (verb-forming suffix).

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