polarize
UK/'pәulәraiz/US
TOEFLGREB2
Definitions
v.
To divide a group into two sharply opposing sides
使两极分化；使对立
v.
(physics) to restrict the vibrations of light waves to one direction
使（光）偏振；使极化
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedpolarpolish, smooth (Latin polīre); also a homograph cluster from Greek (pole / sell / city)
+
-izerelating to, resembling
=polarize
polar (at opposite ends of an axis) + -ize (to make) = to push toward opposite extremes. Socially, to polarize opinion is to split people into two camps; in physics, to polarize light is to force its waves into one orientation. Same Greek polos 'axis' as polar, not the Latin 'polish' root.
Common Collocations
- 1.polarize opinion使意见两极分化
- 2.deeply polarized严重对立的
- 3.polarized light偏振光
- 4.polarize society使社会两极分化
Example Sentences
- 1.
The proposal polarized the town into two angry camps.
- 2.
Few topics polarize voters as sharply as immigration.
- 3.
Polarized sunglasses cut the glare off water.