Dissipate Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of DISSIPATE

formal

1

a

[+ object]

:

to cause (something) to spread out and disappear

• The morning sun dissipated the fog.

b

[no object]

:

to separate into parts and disappear or go away

• The fog should dissipate soon.
• By noon the crowd had dissipated. [=(more commonly) _dispersed_]

— often used figuratively

• Her anger began to dissipate after a while.

2

[+ object]

:

to use all or a lot of (something, such as money or time) in a foolish way

• He had dissipated [=_squandered_] his family's fortune in only a few years.