rarefaction

From Middle French raréfaction.

rarefaction (countable and uncountable, plural rarefactions)

1. A reduction in the density of a material, especially that of a fluid.
   • 1663, Robert Boyle, “Title I. Experiments Touching Bodies Capable of Freezing Others.”, in New Experiments and Observations Touching Cold, or, An Experimental History of Cold, Begun. […], London: […] Richard Davis, […], published 1683, →OCLC, paragraph 21, page 52:

     [T]his ſeal'd vial, being broken under water, ſuck'd in a conſiderable quantity of it, whether, becauſe of ſome little rarefaction of the Air included in the ſealing, or becauſe of the infrigidation of that Air by the ſnow, or for both theſe Reaſons, or any other, I ſhall not Now diſpute.

• compression

• rarefact