(ˈ)dē+ transitive verb
Etymology: de- + activate
1. : to make inactive or ineffective
2.
a. : to break up (as a military unit) by discharging or reassigning personnel : inactivate
b. : to put (as a bomb or mine) in a condition that makes detonation impossible
c. : to deprive of chemical activity
deactivate a compound by introducing substituents
deactivate a catalyst or enzyme
• de·activation (|)dē+ noun -s
• de·activator (ˈ)dē+ noun -s