Main Entry: po·lar·ize

Pronunciation: \ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): po·lar·ized; po·lar·iz·ing

Etymology: French polariser, from New Latin polaris polar

Date: 1811

transitive verb 1 : to cause (as light waves) to vibrate in a definite pattern
2 : to give physical polarity to
3 : to break up into opposing factions or groupings <a campaign that polarized the electorate>
4 : concentrate 1 <recreate a cohesive rock community by polarizing…an amorphous, fragmented audience — Ellen Willis>intransitive verb : to become polarized

— po·lar·iz·abil·i·ty \ˌpō-lə-ˌrī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— po·lar·iz·able \ˌpō-lə-ˈrī-zə-bəl\ adjective