denature

de·na·ture

verb \(ˌ)dē-ˈnā-chər\

de·na·turedde·na·tur·ing\-ˈnā-ch(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of DENATURE

transitive verb

1

: dehumanize

2

: to deprive of natural qualities : change the nature of: as a : to make (alcohol) unfit for drinking (as by adding an obnoxious substance) without impairing usefulness for other purposes b : to modify the molecular structure of (as a protein or DNA) especially by heat, acid, alkali, or ultraviolet radiation so as to destroy or diminish some of the original properties and especially the specific biological activity

intransitive verb

: to become denatured

— de·na·tur·ant \(ˌ)dē-ˈnā-chər-ənt\ noun

— de·na·tur·ation \(ˌ)dē-ˌnā-chə-ˈrā-shən\ noun

First Known Use of DENATURE

1685

Rhymes with DENATURE

4-H'er, renature