polarity

American  

[poh-ler-uh-tee, puh-] / poʊˈlɛr ə ti, pə- /

noun

1. Physics.

   1. the property or characteristic that produces unequal physical effects at different points in a body or system, as a magnet or storage battery.

   2. the positive or negative state in which a body reacts to a magnetic, electric, or other field.

2. the presence or manifestation of two opposite or contrasting principles or tendencies.

3. Linguistics.

   1. (of words, phrases, or sentences) positive or negative character.

   2. polar opposition.

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polarity British  

/ pəʊˈlærɪtɪ /

noun

1. the condition of having poles

2. the condition of a body or system in which it has opposing physical properties at different points, esp magnetic poles or electric charge

3. the particular state of a part of a body or system that has polarity

   an electrode with positive polarity

4. the state of having or expressing two directly opposite tendencies, opinions, etc

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polarity Scientific  

/ pō-lăr′ĭ-tē /

1. The condition of having poles or being aligned with or directed toward poles, especially magnetic or electric poles.

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Other Word Forms

• nonpolarity noun

Etymology

Origin of polarity

First recorded in 1640–50; polar + -ity

Example Sentences

This unstable, indeterminate flickering sensation is what Mr. Lerner wants to evoke as he maneuvers his stories between the polarities of the real and the imaginary.

From The Wall Street Journal

They are also exploring ways to expand the system's capabilities, including designs that use multiple metasurfaces to detect several wavelengths of light and their polarity at the same time.

From Science Daily

Typically, reversing a magnet's polarity requires heating it above that critical temperature.

From Science Daily

Earth's magnetic field periodically flips polarity, and these reversals leave a clear and globally synchronized signature in sediments.

From Science Daily

Already in her still relatively short career, Elle Fanning has managed to position herself smack dab in the center of these two polarities, the perfect combination of classic Hollywood and new age celebrity.

From Salon