polarize
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Related to polarize: Polaris, Polarized sunglasses
po·lar·ize
(pō′lə-rīz′)v. po·lar·ized, po·lar·iz·ing, po·lar·iz·es
v.tr.
1.
a. To induce polarization in or impart polarity to.
b. To design so as to permit light only of a certain polarization: Are these sunglasses polarized?
2. To cause to divide into two conflicting or opposing groups: The issue of slavery polarized the nation.
v.intr.
1. To acquire polarity.
2. To cause polarization of light or permit light of a certain polarization.
3. To become divided into two conflicting or opposing groups: The town is polarizing into opposing factions over the issue.
po′lar·iz′a·ble adj.
po′lar·iz′er n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
polarize
(ˈpəʊləˌraɪz) orpolarise
vb
1. to acquire or cause to acquire polarity
2. (General Physics) to acquire or cause to acquire polarization: to polarize light.
3. to cause people to adopt extreme opposing positions: to polarize opinion.
ˈpolarˌizable, ˈpolarˌisable adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
po•lar•ize
(ˈpoʊ ləˌraɪz)v. -ized, -iz•ing. v.t.
1. to cause polarization in.
2. to divide into sharply opposing factions or groups: The controversy has polarized voters.
3. to give polarity to.
v.i. 4. to become polarized.
[1805–15]
po′lar•iz`a•ble, adj.
po`lar•iz`a•bil′i•ty, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
po·lar·ize
(pō′lə-rīz′)1. To cause the positive and negative electric charges in an object, such as an atom or molecule, to become separated from each other. This is typically done by placing the object in an electric field.
2. To control the direction of the vibration of electromagnetic waves. Polarized light, for example, consists of electromagnetic waves that vibrate in a single plane, rather than in all directions as in ordinary light.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
polarize
Past participle: polarized
Gerund: polarizing
| Imperative |
|---|
| polarize |
| polarize |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Verb | 1. | polarize - cause to vibrate in a definite pattern; "polarize light waves" natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions; "his favorite subject was physics" |
| 2. | polarize - cause to concentrate about two conflicting or contrasting positions | |
| 3. | polarize - become polarized in a conflict or contrasting situation |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
polarizovat
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
polarize
[ˈpəʊləraɪz] polarise (British) vt [+ people, opinions] → diviserPolaroid® [ˈpəʊlərɔɪd] adj
[camera, picture, film] → Polaroïd® inv
[sunglasses] → en Polaroïd®
n (= photo) → Polaroïd® m
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995