depolarize

verb
de·​po·​lar·​ize | \ (ˌ)dē-ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz How to pronounce depolarize (audio) \
depolarized; depolarizing; depolarizes

Definition of depolarize

transitive verb

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.

intransitive verb

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

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Other Words from depolarize

depolarizer \ (ˌ)dē-​ˈpō-​lə-​ˌrī-​zər How to pronounce depolarizer (audio) \ noun, plural depolarizers

Examples of depolarize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some of the drugs that can be used to depolarize cells are already approved for humans. Emily Matchar, Smithsonian, "Tweaking the Tiny Electrical Charges Inside Cells Can Fight Infection," 26 May 2017 Some of the drugs that can be used to depolarize cells are already approved for humans. Emily Matchar, Smithsonian, "Tweaking the Tiny Electrical Charges Inside Cells Can Fight Infection," 26 May 2017

First Known Use of depolarize

1814, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for depolarize

depolarize

verb
de·​po·​lar·​ize
variants: or British depolarise \ (ˈ)dē-​ˈpō-​lə-​ˌrīz How to pronounce depolarise (audio) \
depolarized or British depolarised; depolarizing or British depolarising

Medical Definition of depolarize

transitive verb

: 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., The Journal of the American Medical Association, 1 Aug. l986

intransitive verb

: 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, Science, 24 Apr. 1992

Other Words from depolarize

depolarizer or British depolariser \ -​ˌrī-​zər How to pronounce depolariser (audio) \ noun