flatten

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to make something flat or flatter, or to become flat or flatter

   Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough into a thin disc.

2. 2
   verb

   to knock down or destroy something by force

   The storm flattened several trees beside the road.

3. 3
   verb

   to stop rising, falling, or changing so quickly

   Demand began to flatten after the holiday rush.

4. 4
   verb

   in music, to lower a note by one semitone

   The arranger chose to flatten the final note of the phrase.

Formed in English from flat + the verb-forming suffix -en, with the literal sense 'make or become flat'.

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