denature

[ dee-ney-cher ]

verb (used with object)

, de·na·tured, de·na·tur·ing.

1. to render (any of various alcohols) unfit for drinking by adding an unwholesome substance that does not alter usefulness for other purposes.
2. Biochemistry. to treat (a protein or the like) by chemical or physical means so as to alter its original state.
3. to make (fissionable material) unsuitable for use in an atomic weapon by mixing it with unfissionable material.
4. to deprive (something) of its natural character, properties, etc.

denature

/ diːˈneɪtʃəˌraɪz; diːˈneɪtʃə /

verb

1. to change the nature of
2. to change (a protein) by chemical or physical means, such as the action of acid or heat, to cause loss of solubility, biological activity, etc
3. to render (something, such as ethanol) unfit for consumption by adding nauseous substances
4. to render (fissile material) unfit for use in nuclear weapons by addition of an isotope

denature

/ dē-nā′chər /

1. To cause the tertiary structure of a protein to unfold, as with heat, alkali, or acid, so that some of its original properties, especially its biological activity, are diminished or eliminated.
2. To cause the paired strands of DNA to separate into individual strands.

Derived Forms

• deˌnaturˈation, noun
• deˈnaturant, noun

Other Words From

• de·na·tur·ant [dee-, ney, -cher-, uh, nt], noun
• de·na·tur·a·tion [dee-ney-ch, uh, -, rey, -sh, uh, n], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of denature¹

First recorded in 1675–85; de- + nature

Example Sentences

Now that most of the paint is gone, spray the chair with denatured alcohol and scrub with more steel wool to clean off any residue.

From Seattle Times

To manufacture the sponge, Mohammad Peydayesh, a senior scientist in Mezzenga's Group, and his colleagues denatured whey proteins under acidic conditions and high temperatures, so that they aggregated into protein nanofibrils in a gel.

From Science Daily

First, denatured alcohol and odorless mineral spirits are different things.

From Washington Post

The process generates so much heat that it denatures, or unravels, most of the available protein molecules in the extruded material, rendering it somewhat shapeless.

From Scientific American

When the world has grown denatured, it is ripe for a new avatar of Vishnu.

From New York Times

Related Words

• alter
• convert
• mold
• mutate
• reconstruct
• remodel
• revamp
• revolutionize
• transfer
• translate