v.
Pronunciation: ( ˌ )d ē - ' n ā -ch ə r
Function: verb
Inflected Form: de · na · tured ; de · na · tur · ing \ - ' n ā -ch( ə -)ri ŋ \
Date: 1685
transitive verb
1 : DEHUMANIZE
2 : to deprive of natural qualities : change the nature of: as a : to make (alcohol) unfit for drinking (as by adding an obnoxious substance) without impairing usefulness for other purposes b : to modify the molecular structure of (as a protein or DNA) especially by heat, acid, alkali, or ultraviolet radiation so as to destroy or diminish some of the original properties and especially the specific biological activity
intransitive verb : to become denatured
– de · na · tur · ant \ ( ˌ )d ē - ' n ā -ch ə r- ə nt \ noun
– de · na · tur · ation \ ( ˌ )d ē - ˌ n ā -ch ə - ' r ā -sh ə n \ noun