de·flate (dĭ-flāt')

v., -flat·ed, -flat·ing, -flates.

v.tr.

1. 1. To release contained air or gas from.
   2. To collapse by releasing contained air or gas.
2. To reduce or lessen the size or importance of: Losing the contest deflated my ego.
3. Economics.
   1. To reduce the amount or availability of (currency or credit), effecting a decline in prices.
   2. To produce deflation in (an economy).

v.intr.
To be or become deflated: The balloon deflated slowly.

[DE- + (IN)FLATE.]

deflator de·fla'tor n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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