[po.lar.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing [F polariser, fr. NL polaris polar] vt (1811) 1: to cause (as light waves) to vibrate in a definite pattern
2: to give physical polarity to
3: to break up into opposing factions or groupings "a campaign that polarized the electorate"
4: concentrate 1 "recreate a cohesive rock community by polarizing ... an amorphous, fragmented audience --Ellen Willis" ~ vi: to become polarized -- po.lar.iz.abil.i.ty n -- po.lar.iz.able adj