definitions

polarity

[ poh-lar-i-tee, puh- ]
/ poʊˈlær ɪ ti, pə- /
|

noun

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.
the presence or manifestation of two opposite or contrasting principles or tendencies.
Linguistics.
  1. (of words, phrases, or sentences) positive or negative character.
  2. polar opposition.

RELATED CONTENT

Can You Untangle These Regional Mix-Ups?Watch what you say while you're traveling around the US - not all words mean the same things in the same places.
READ MORE
Extra! Extra! Journalism Jargon ExplainedIn journalism, a slug is not a garden pest. Instead it's a short phrase summarizing the subject of an article, used to identify the story as it moves through the editorial process. What other Journalism jargon have you been confused by?
READ MORE

Nearby words

polari, polarimeter, polaris, polariscope, polarise, polarity, polarization, polarization charge, polarize, polarized, polarized light

Origin of polarity

First recorded in 1640–50; polar + -ity

Related forms

non·po·lar·i·ty, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for non-polarity

  • He therefore subsequently abandoned it, and maintained the non-polarity of the diamagnetic force.

    Faraday As A Discoverer|John Tyndall

British Dictionary definitions for non-polarity

polarity

/ (pəʊˈlærɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

the condition of having poles
the condition of a body or system in which it has opposing physical properties at different points, esp magnetic poles or electric charge
the particular state of a part of a body or system that has polarityan electrode with positive polarity
the state of having or expressing two directly opposite tendencies, opinions, etc
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

Medicine definitions for non-polarity

polarity

[ pō-lăr′ĭ-tē, pə- ]

n.

The property of having two opposite poles, such as those possessed by a magnet, or of having opposite properties or characteristics.
The direction or orientation of positivity relative to negativity.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for non-polarity

polarity

[ pō-lăr′ĭ-tē ]

The condition of having poles or being aligned with or directed toward poles, especially magnetic or electric poles.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.