polarized

[poh-luh-rahyzd]

po·lar·ized

[poh-luh-rahyzd]
adjective
1.
of or pertaining to a medium that exhibits polarization.
2.
(of an electric plug or outlet) designed so that the plug and outlet fit together in only one way.

Origin:
1920–25; polarize + -ed2

non·po·lar·ized, adjective
un·po·lar·ized, adjective

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Polarized is always a great word to know.
So is gobo. Does it mean:
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

po·lar·ize

[poh-luh-rahyz] verb, po·lar·ized, po·lar·iz·ing.
verb (used with object)
1.
to cause polarization in.
2.
to divide into sharply opposing factions, political groups, etc.: The controversy has polarized voters into proabortion and antiabortion groups.
3.
to give polarity to.
verb (used without object)
4.
to become polarized.
Also, especially British, po·lar·ise.


Origin:
1805–15; polar + -ize

po·lar·iz·a·ble, adjective
po·lar·iz·a·bil·i·ty, noun
de·po·lar·ize, verb (used with object), de·po·lar·ized, de·po·lar·iz·ing.
non·po·lar·iz·a·ble, adjective
non·po·lar·iz·ing, adjective
EXPAND
re·po·lar·ize, verb (used with object), re·po·lar·ized, re·po·lar·iz·ing.
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To polarized
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
polarize   (pō'lə-rīz')  Pronunciation Key 
  1. To separate or accumulate positive and negative electric charges in two distinct regions. Polarized objects have an electric dipole moment and will undergo torque when placed in an external electric field.

  2. To magnetize a substance so that it has the properties of a magnetic dipole, such as having a north and south pole.

  3. To cause the electrical and magnetic fields associated with electromagnetic waves, especially light, to vibrate in a particular direction or path. The transverse electric and magnetic waves always vibrate at right angles to each other, but in ordinary unpolarized light sources, the direction of polarization of each wave is randomly distributed. Light can be polarized by reflection, and by passing through certain materials. See more at polarization.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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