Category:Depolarize

De*po"lar*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Depolarized; p. pr. & vb. n. Depolarizing.] Etym: [Pref. de- + polarize: cf. F. dépolarizer.]

1. (Opt.)

Defn: To deprive of polarity; to reduce to an unpolarized condition.

Note: This word has been inaccurately applied in optics to describe the effect of a polarizing medium, as a crystalline plate, in causing the reappearance of a ray, in consequence of a change in its plane of polarization, which previously to the change was intercepted by the analyzer.

2. (Elec.)

Defn: To free from polarization, as the negative plate of the voltaic battery.