denature

Alternative forms

• denaturise

Etymology

From French dénaturer.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /diːˈneɪtjə(ɹ)/, /diːˈneɪtʃə(ɹ)/
• Rhymes: -eɪtʃə(ɹ)

Verb

denature (third-person singular simple present denatures, present participle denaturing, simple past and past participle denatured)

1. (transitive) To take away a natural characteristic or inherent property of (a thing or a person).
2. (transitive) To add something to (alcohol) that makes it unsuitable for consumption but leaves it suitable for other purposes.
   • While you cannot drink denatured alcohol, you can still use it to remove sticker glue from most surfaces.
3. (transitive, chemistry) To subject (especially a protein) to conditions altering its original form or state.
4. To combine fissionable material with nonfissionable material in order to prevent its use in an atomic weapon.

Anagrams

• underate, undereat