polarize etymology

Etymology:

• Latin: polarizāre ("to bring to a pole or extremity")
• Greek: polos ("spinning top, axis")

Meaning:

• 1. Physics: To cause a substance to acquire opposite electrical charges at its opposite ends or surfaces.
• 2. (figuratively) To make something become divided into two opposing extremes or factions.

Origin:

The word "polarize" comes from the Latin word polarizāre, which means "to bring to a pole or extremity." This word is derived from the Greek word polos, which originally meant "spinning top" but came to refer to the axis of a sphere or the north or south pole of Earth.

In physics, the term "polarization" was first used in the 19th century to describe the phenomenon of causing a substance to acquire opposite electrical charges at its opposite ends. This process can be achieved by applying an electric field to the substance or by exposing it to polarized light.

In the figurative sense, the term "polarize" is often used to describe the process of making something become divided into two opposing extremes or factions. This can happen due to political, social, or other factors that lead to a sharp difference of opinion.

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