POLYMERIZE

polymerize, polymerise

(verb) undergo polymerization

polymerize, polymerise

(verb) cause (a compound) to polymerize

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Verb

polymerize (third-person singular simple present polymerizes, present participle polymerizing, simple past and past participle polymerized)

(transitive, chemistry) To convert a monomer to a polymer by polymerization.

(intransitive, chemistry) To undergo polymerization.

Source: Wiktionary


Pol"y*mer*ize, v. t. (Chem.)

Definition: To cause polymerization of; to produce polymers from; to increase the molecular weight of, without changing the atomic proportions; thus, certain acids polymerize aldehyde.

Pol"y*mer*ize, v. i. (Chem.)

Definition: To change into another substance having the same atomic proportions, but a higher molecular weight; to undergo polymerization; thus, aldehyde polymerizes in forming paraldehyde.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

4 April 2025

GUILLOTINE

(verb) kill by cutting the head off with a guillotine; “The French guillotined many Vietnamese while they occupied the country”


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