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polarity

[poh-lar-i-tee, puh-]

noun

Physics.

the property or characteristic that produces unequal physical effects at different points in a body or system, as a magnet or storage battery.

the positive or negative state in which a body reacts to a magnetic, electric, or other field.

the presence or manifestation of two opposite or contrasting principles or tendencies.

Linguistics.

(of words, phrases, or sentences) positive or negative character.

polar opposition.

Origin:
1640–50; polar + -ity

Related forms

non·po·lar·i·ty, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To polarity

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Polarity is always a great word to know.

So is compressibility. Does it mean:

the reciprocal of the bulk modulus, equal to the ratio of the fractional change in volume to the stress applied to a body

a device that produces a nearly parallel, monochromatic, coherent beam of light by exciting atoms to a higher energy level and causing them to radiate

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Example Sentences

Fortunately, it's easy to rewire an outlet with reversed polarity.

Every election establishes a polarity that's wider than the reality.

Variations in the magnetic polarity even revealed joins where one pipe met another.

EXPAND

Fortunately, it's easy to rewire an outlet with reversed polarity.

Every election establishes a polarity that's wider than the reality.

Variations in the magnetic polarity even revealed joins where one pipe met another.

Klimley wondered whether the behavior was related to the magnetic polarity of a seamount.

Scientists have long wondered why the polarity of the earth's magnetic field occasionally reverses.

Given the polarity that seems to be pervasive in our nation at this time, an alternative would be nice.

The mistake was setting up the innate v trained polarity to start with, as if the answer lay at one end of the other.

But oils and many other organic compounds have weak or no polarity and cause such gels to collapse.

The scientists believe the continued influx is due to the way in which the polarity changed.

The speed, direction and amount of the fluid in motion determined the polarity and magnitude of the infant magnetic field.

It was the phasing of the polarity on two tape machines.

Our nation's polarity would be aided by a little less self-aggrandizement.

Like the magnetosphere reversing polarity which will leave us with out a large element of our protection from solar radiation.

Such distinctions feed polarity and depreciate the integrity of the court.

Mahan separated these functions and reversed their polarity.

Murphy also captures the polarity of good and evil in such times.

We are not trying to set up polarity among these groups.

The black and white images show the sun's surface, with black representing negative polarity and.

Soon after discovering that the shift in polarity that triggered the previous ice age happened in only one.

Scientists have long wondered why the polarity of the earth's magnetic field.

Let me see every trifle bristling with the polarity that ranges it instantly on an.

There are impressive forays into the territories of polarity and the matrices of time and space.

In the novels and plays he would seek a distance necessary to expand his awareness of the polarity separating dream from reality.

COLLAPSE

Collins

World English Dictionary

polarity (pəʊˈlærɪtɪ)

—n , pl -ties
1.	the condition of having poles
2.	the condition of a body or system in which it has opposing physical properties at different points, esp magnetic poles or electric charge
3.	the particular state of a part of a body or system that has polarity: an electrode with positive polarity
4.	the state of having or expressing two directly opposite tendencies, opinions, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

polarity po·lar·i·ty (pō-lār'ĭ-tē, pə-)
n.

The property of having two opposite poles, such as those possessed by a magnet, or of having opposite properties or characteristics.
The direction or orientation of positivity relative to negativity.

American Heritage

Science Dictionary

polarity

(pō-lār'ĭ-tē) Pronunciation Key
The condition of having poles or being aligned with or directed toward poles, especially magnetic or electric poles.

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Matching Quote

"To me, however, the question of the times resolved itself into a practical question of the conduct of life. How shall I live? We are incompetent to solve the times. Our geometry cannot span the huge orbits of the prevailing ideas, behold their return, and reconcile their opposition. We can only obey our own polarity."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

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