depolymerize

[ dee-puh-lim-uh-rahyz, dee-pol-uh-muh- ]

verb (used with object)

, Chemistry.

, de·po·lym·er·ized, de·po·lym·er·iz·ing.

1. to break down (a polymer ) into monomers.

depolymerize

/ diːˈpɒlɪməˌraɪz /

verb

1. to break (a polymer) into constituent monomers or (of a polymer) to decompose in this way

Derived Forms

• deˌpolymeriˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• depo·lymer·i·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of depolymerize¹

First recorded in 1890–95; de- + polymerize