autodepolymerization
|au-to-de-po-ly-mer-i-za-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌɔːtoʊ.diːˌpɑː.lɪ.məˈraɪ.zeɪ.ʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌɔːtəʊ.diːˌpɒ.lɪ.məˈraɪ.zeɪ.ʃən/
self-breakdown of a polymer
Etymology
'autodepolymerization' originates from Modern English, combining the prefix 'auto-' (from Greek 'autos', meaning 'self') with 'depolymerization'—itself formed from the prefix 'de-' (from Latin/French, meaning 'removal'), 'polymer' (from Greek 'polymeros', meaning 'many parts') and the nominalizing suffix '-ization'.
'autodepolymerization' developed as a scientific coinage in modern chemistry by attaching the productive prefix 'auto-' to 'depolymerization'. 'Depolymerization' derived from the verb 'depolymerize' (built from 'de-' + 'polymerize'), and 'polymer' entered English via scientific Latin/French from Greek roots.
Initially, components of the term referred simply to 'removal' or 'breaking up' of polymers; over time the compounded term came to denote specifically a spontaneous or self-driven breakdown of polymer chains, often with an emphasis on internal (auto-) mechanisms.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process by which a polymer undergoes depolymerization (breaking of its chains into monomers or smaller fragments) by its own inherent instability or internal catalytic action, i.e., a spontaneous or self-driven breakdown of the polymer structure.
The autodepolymerization of the polymer occurred at room temperature after prolonged storage.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/24 23:36