Denature

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /diːˈneɪtjÉ™(ɹ)/, /diːˈneɪtʃə(ɹ)/
• Rhymes: -eɪtʃə(ɹ)

Origin

From French dénaturer

Full definition of denature

Verb

1. To take away a natural characteristic or inherent property of a thing or a person.
2. (in reference to alcohol) to add something that makes alcohol unsuitable for consumption but leaves the alcohol suitable for other purposes.
• While you cannot drink denatured alcohol, you can still use it to remove sticker glue from most surfaces.
3. (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.

Synonyms

• (to take away a natural characteristic of) denaturalize

Anagrams

• underate
• undereat