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denature

[dee-ney-cher]
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verb (used with object), de·na·tured, de·na·tur·ing.
  1. to deprive (something) of its natural character, properties, etc.
  2. to render (any of various alcohols) unfit for drinking by adding an unwholesome substance that does not alter usefulness for other purposes.
  3. Biochemistry. to treat (a protein or the like) by chemical or physical means so as to alter its original state.
  4. to make (fissionable material) unsuitable for use in an atomic weapon by mixing it with unfissionable material.
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Origin of denature

First recorded in 1675–85; de- + nature
Related formsde·na·tur·ant, nounde·na·tur·a·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for denature

Historical Examples

  • There is no way that the military establishment can denature human nature, and change this determining condition.

    The Armed Forces Officer

    U. S. Department of Defense

British Dictionary definitions for denature

denature

denaturize or denaturise (diːˈneɪtʃəˌraɪz)

verb (tr)
  1. to change the nature of
  2. to change (a protein) by chemical or physical means, such as the action of acid or heat, to cause loss of solubility, biological activity, etc
  3. to render (something, such as ethanol) unfit for consumption by adding nauseous substances
  4. to render (fissile material) unfit for use in nuclear weapons by addition of an isotope
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Derived Formsdenaturant, noundenaturation, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for denature

v.

1878, in modern sense, from French dénaturer (Old French desnaturer "change the nature of; make unnatural"); see de- + nature. Earlier "to make unnatural" (1680s). Related: Denatured.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
denature in Medicine

denature

(dē-nā′chər)
v.
  1. To change the nature or natural qualities of.
  2. To render unfit to eat or drink without destroying usefulness in other applications, especially adding methyl alcohol to ethyl alcohol.
  3. To alter the chemical structure of a protein, as with heat, alkali, or acid, so that some of its original properties, especially its biological activity, are diminished or eliminated.
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Related formsde•na′tur•a′tion n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
denature in Science

denature

[dē-nā′chər]
  1. To cause the tertiary structure of a protein to unfold, as with heat, alkali, or acid, so that some of its original properties, especially its biological activity, are diminished or eliminated.
  2. To cause the paired strands of DNA to separate into individual strands.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.