Homogenize

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /həˈmɒdʒənaɪz/

Definitions

1. To create a consistent and uniform mixture, one blends various elements so that their individual characteristics are indistinguishable
2. The act of merging different substances to achieve uniformity in texture and composition is known as ensuring homogeneity
3. To blend diverse components thoroughly so that their distinct features become imperceptible results in a uniform mixture

Etymology: "Homogenize" is a straightforward English formation: the adjective "homogeneous," meaning of the same kind or uniform in composition, takes the verb-forming suffix "-ize," so the verb means to make things uniform throughout. The suffix itself has a long pedigree. It traces back through Proto-Indo-European roots to Ancient Greek, where verbs ending in "-izein" were common, and it passed into Late Latin as "-izare" before reaching Middle French as "-iser" and then Middle English as "-isen." English eventually settled on the "-ize" spelling, which is why the word looks Greek in its ending even though its first half comes from the adjective built on "homogenes," meaning of the same kind. The sense of uniformity behind the adjective is the key to the whole word. "Homo-" means the same, and "-genes" relates to kind or origin, so a homogeneous thing is made of parts of one kind. Adding "-ize" turns that quality into an action, so to homogenize something is to bring its parts into one consistent state.

Synonyms: mix, blend

Antonyms: separate, divide