denature

1 add nonfissionable material to (fissionable material) so as to make unsuitable for use in an atomic bomb

2 modify (as a native protein) especially by heat, acid, alkali, or ultraviolet radiation so that all of the original properties are removed or diminished

3 make (alcohol) unfit for drinking without impairing usefulness for other purposes

English

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -eɪtʃə(r)

Verb

1. to take away a natural characteristic or inherent property of a thing or a person
2. (in reference to alcohol) to add something that makes alcohol unsuitable for consumption but leaves the alcohol suitable for other purposes
   • While you cannot drink denatured alcohol, you can still use it to remove sticker glue from most surfaces.

Denaturation may refer to:

• Denaturation (biochemistry) -- a structural change in macromolecules caused by extreme conditions
• Denaturation (fissile materials) -- transforming fissile materials so that they cannot be used in nuclear weapons
• Denaturation (food) -- intentional adulteration of food or drink rendering it unfit for consumption while remaining suitable for other uses

See also

• Denatured alcohol, also known as methylated spirit
• Denaturalization, the reverse of naturalization, when a state deprives one of its citizens of his or her citizenship

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