polarization

polarization
1. In electricity, coating of an electrode with a thick layer of hydrogen bubbles, with the result that the flow of current is weakened or arrested. 2. A change effected in a ray of light passing through certain media, whereby the transverse vibrations occur in one plane only, instead of in all planes as in an ordinary light ray. 3. Development of differences in potential between two points in living tissues, as between the inside and outside of a cell wall.

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po·lar·iza·tion also Brit po·lar·isa·tion .pō-lə-rə-'zā-shən n the action of polarizing or state of being or becoming polarized: as
a ) (1) the action or process of affecting radiation and esp. light so that the vibrations of the wave assume a definite form (2) the state of radiation affected by this process
b) an increase in the resistance of an electrolytic cell caused by the deposition of gas on one or both electrodes
c) MAGNETIZATION

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po·lar·iza·tion (po″lər-ĭ-zaґshən) 1. the presence or establishment of polarity. 2. the production of that condition in light by virtue of which its vibrations take place all in one plane or else in circles and ellipses. 3. the accumulation of bubbles of hydrogen gas on the negative plate of a galvanic battery, so that the generation of electricity is impeded. 4. the separation of electric charge so that there is directionality of flow, as between two poles (the anode and the cathode) of an electrolysis cell, or such as that across a biological membrane, which results in a membrane potential. See also depolarization and repolarization.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Polarization — ( Brit. polarisation) is a property of waves that describes the orientation of their oscillations. For transverse waves, it describes the orientation of the oscillations in the plane perpendicular to the wave s direction of travel. Longitudinal… …   Wikipedia

  • Polarization — Po lar*i*za tion, n. [Cf. F. polarisation.] [1913 Webster] 1. The act of polarizing; the state of being polarized, or of having polarity. [1913 Webster] 2. (Opt.) A peculiar affection or condition of the rays of light or heat, in consequence of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • polarization — polarization. См. поляризация [света]. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • Polarization — Polarization. См. Поляризация. (Источник: «Металлы и сплавы. Справочник.» Под редакцией Ю.П. Солнцева; НПО Профессионал , НПО Мир и семья ; Санкт Петербург, 2003 г.) …   Словарь металлургических терминов

  • polarization — (n.) 1812, from POLARIZE (Cf. polarize) + ATION (Cf. ation) …   Etymology dictionary

  • polarization — (Amer.) po·lar·i·za·tion || ‚pəʊlÉ™raɪ zeɪʃn n. making polarized, giving two opposite tendencies; condition of having polariy; phenomenon in which light waves move in one plane (also polarisation) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • polarization — [pō΄lə ri zā′shən] n. [< POLARIZE + ATION] 1. the producing of polarity in something, or the acquiring of polarity 2. the process or condition of being divided into two opposing groups 3. Elec. a condition in which gases produced during… …   English World dictionary

  • polarization — /poh leuhr euh zay sheuhn/, n. 1. a sharp division, as of a population or group, into opposing factions. 2. Optics. a state, or the production of a state, in which rays of light or similar radiation exhibit different properties in different… …   Universalium

  • polarization — The requirement that financial advisers selling packaged products in the United Kingdom should either be independent financial advisers, offering advice on all the products available in the market, or tied agents, offering advice on the products… …   Financial and business terms

  • polarization — The tendency towards concentration at two opposing extremes, observed by sociologists in a large number of diverse contexts. For example, on the basis of research on the Isle of Sheppey, R. E. Pahl (Divisions of Labour, 1984) identified a process …   Dictionary of sociology

  • polarization — n. polarization between * * * [ˌpəʊləraɪ zeɪʃ(ə)n] polarization between …   Combinatory dictionary

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