depolymerize

verb

de·​po·​ly·​mer·​ize (ˌ)dē-pə-ˈli-mə-ˌrīz How to pronounce depolymerize (audio) -ˈpä-lə-mə- How to pronounce depolymerize (audio)
depolymerized; depolymerizing; depolymerizes

transitive verb

: to decompose (macromolecules) into simpler compounds (such as monomers)

intransitive verb

: to undergo decomposition into simpler compounds
depolymerization
ˌdē-pə-ˌli-mə-rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce depolymerize (audio)
(ˌ)dē-ˌpä-lə-mə-rə-
noun

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of depolymerize was circa 1909

Dictionary Entries Near depolymerize

depollute

depolymerize

depone

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Depolymerize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depolymerize. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

depolymerize

verb
de·​po·​ly·​mer·​ize
variants or British depolymerise
(ˈ)dē-pə-ˈlim-ə-ˌrīz How to pronounce depolymerize (audio) -ˈpäl-ə-mə- How to pronounce depolymerize (audio)
depolymerized or British depolymerised; depolymerizing or British depolymerising

transitive verb

: to decompose (macromolecules) into relatively simple compounds (as monomers)
depolymerized nucleic acids

intransitive verb

: to undergo decomposition into simpler compounds
depolymerization noun
or British depolymerisation
ˌdē-pə-ˌlim-ə-rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce depolymerize (audio) (ˌ)dē-ˌpäl-ə-mə-rə- How to pronounce depolymerize (audio)
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