atténuent

Atténuent is the third-person plural present indicative form of the French verb atténuer, meaning they attenuate or they lessen. The verb atténuer denotes reducing intensity, extent, or impact, such as risks, noise, or symptoms. It is a regular -er verb, conjugated with the standard endings: j’atténue, tu atténues, il/elle atténue, nous atténuons, vous atténuez, ils/elles atténuent. The form atténuent is used when the subject is plural.

Etymology: atténuer derives from Latin attenuare, from tenuis "thin" or "slender" with the prefix ad-, conveying the sense of making thinner or weaker.

Usage: In scientific, technical, and everyday French, atténuent appears in contexts describing mitigation or reduction. It contrasts with réduire and diminuer, though overlap exists in meaning; atténuer emphasizes lowering intensity or severity rather than simply decreasing quantity.

Examples: "Les mesures atténuent les effets secondaires." "Les filtres atténuent les bruits." "Les symptômes s’atténuent." Note: as a third-person plural form, it agrees with a plural subject such as "ils" or "elles."

See also: Atténuation, Atténuant, Atténuator, Atténuer. In English discussions of French, related concepts include attenuation of effects and reduction of intensity.