Dissipated Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈdɪsɪpɪtɪd/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

Dispersed or spread out; lacking in intensity or concentration; worn out.

Examples

• The company’s resources were dissipated across multiple projects.
• After a long journey, she felt dissipated and in need of a rest.

Synonyms

• Spanned
• Stretched
• Faded

Antonyms

• Concentrated
• Intensive
• Tightened

Additional Information

A dissipated object or state is one that has lost its original shape, size, or intensity. This can be used to describe a wide range of phenomena, from the physical to the metaphorical. For example, a dissipated cloud may be one that has broken up into smaller droplets, while a dissipated idea may be one that has lost its original clarity or coherence.

In science, dissipation can refer to the loss of energy or momentum due to internal friction or external forces. This concept is crucial in fields like fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics.

In everyday language, dissipation can also refer to the act of scattering or dissipating something, such as resources, attention, or energy. For instance, someone might say that they are trying to dissipate the tension in the room by cracking a joke.

Etymology

The word “dissipated” comes from the Latin “dissipare,” which means “to scatter” or “to disperse.” This Latin verb is derived from “dis-” (meaning “apart” or “asunder”) and “spare” (meaning “to scatter”).

Usage Notes

When using the word “dissipated,” it’s important to consider the context in which it is being used. In scientific contexts, dissipation can refer to a specific physical phenomenon, while in everyday language, it can refer to a more general sense of scattering or dispersing.

When describing a dissipated object or state, it’s often useful to provide more context or information about what has caused the dispersal. For instance, you might say that a dissipated cloud has broken up due to changes in wind direction or temperature.

Cultural References

In literature, the concept of dissipation can be seen in works that explore the themes of decay, entropy, or chaos. For example, in Thomas Hardy’s novel “The Return of the Native,” the central character’s emotions are compared to a dissipated flame that has lost its original intensity.

In music, the idea of dissipation is often used to describe the gradual decline or dispersal of energy or momentum. For instance, a song might build up to a peak and then dissipate, creating a sense of tension release.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• To dissipate one’s energy
• To dissipate a crowd
• To dissipate one’s resources

Related Words or Phrases

• Disperse
• Scatter
• Wane
• Fade

Collocations

• Dissipated forces
• Dissipated energy
• Dissipated attention

Frequency of Use

The word “dissipated” is relatively rare in everyday language, but it is commonly used in scientific and technical contexts where the concept of dispersal or decline is relevant.

Common Misspellings

• Dissipaded
• Dissapated
• Dissapeated