- po|lar|i|za|tion
- po|lar|i|za|tion «POH luhr uh ZAY shuhn», noun.1. the act or process of polarizing or state of being polarized; production or acquisition of polarity.2. the process by which gases produced during electrolysis are deposited on electrodes of a cell, giving rise to a reverse electromotive force.3. Optics. a) a state, or the production of a state, in which rays of light exhibit different properties in different directions, as when they are reflected from glass in a particular way, or when they are passed through a crystal of tourmaline that confines the light vibrations to a single plane. b) the state in which all the vibrations of the waves take place in only one plane: »
All light sources of practical importance emit radiation that exhibits little evidence of polarization. For this reason, the optical instruments based on the phenomena of polarization are provided with some element, such as a Nicol prism, for polarizing the natural light supplied by the source (Hardy and Perrin).
4. Figurative. a splitting into opposing sides or extremes; division into opposite factions: »The polarization of the GOP into conservative and less-conservative wings has become increasingly certain (Wall Street Journal).
Useful english dictionary. 2012.