polarisation
|po-lar-i-sa-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌpoʊləraɪˈzeɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌpəʊləraɪˈzeɪʃən/
making poles / splitting into opposites
Etymology
'polarisation' originates from modern English, formed from the verb 'polarise' (or US 'polarize'), where 'polar' comes from Latin 'polaris' meaning 'of the axis or pole' and the suffix '-ise/-ize' forms verbs.
'polarisation' developed from the verb 'polarise' (late 19th century, especially in physics). 'Polar' itself comes from Latin 'polaris', from Greek 'polos'/'polos' (axis, pole), and the noun-forming suffix '-ation' was added in English to create 'polarisation'.
Originally related to 'having poles' or 'relating to poles', it came to denote in physics the alignment or orientation of waves/charges and later expanded metaphorically to mean social or political division into opposing groups.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process or state in which waves (especially light) or fields oscillate in a particular direction; alignment of electrical or magnetic dipoles (physics/optics).
The polarisation of the light by the polarising filter reduced glare from the water.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
a division into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs, often used of politics or society (social/political polarisation).
The polarisation of public opinion on the issue made compromise almost impossible.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/21 21:01