depolarize
verb
de·po·lar·ize
(ˌ)dē-ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz
depolarized; depolarizing; depolarizes
1
: to cause to become partially or wholly unpolarized
2
: to prevent or remove polarization of (something, such as a particle (see particle sense 3) or dry cell)
After all, if a positive muon managed to capture one of the many electrons that are free to move about in graphite, the electron could easily depolarize (mess up the spin of) the muon so that they would not all be doing the same thing in lockstep.—Leon Lederman et al.
3
physiology
: to cause (a muscle or nerve cell) to undergo depolarization
In order to establish whether or not this type of capacitor discharge would depolarize the entire heart, it was tested as a cardiac defibrillator.—Bernard Lown et al.
physiology
: to undergo depolarization
Smooth muscle cells in small arteries depolarize and contract in response to increased intravascular pressure.—Joseph E. Brayden and Mark T. Nelson
Cite this Entry
“Depolarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depolarize. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share