De*po"lar*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Depolarized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Depolarizing.] [Pref. de- + polarize: cf. F. d'epolarizer.]
1. Opt.
To deprive of polarity; to reduce to an unpolarized condition.
⇒ This word has been inaccurately applied in optics to describe the effect of a polarizing medium, as a crystalline plate, in causing the reappearance of a ray, in consequence of a change in its plane of polarization, which previously to the change was intercepted by the analyzer.
2. Elec.
To free from polarization, as the negative plate of the voltaic battery.
© Webster 1913.