Polarizations

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The act or process of causing two opposing tendencies or forces to become more distinct or separated from each other
2. The state in which certain values or opinions become sharply divided, leading to contrasting group behaviors or beliefs
3. A phenomenon where waves, particularly light, exhibit orientation in specific directions, or where societal views are markedly split into extremes

Etymology: "Polarization" is the plural-form noun built on "polarization," which entered English by borrowing from French "polarisation." The French term sits on the stem "polar," from Latin "polaris," meaning "of the pole," and the "-ation" ending turns the action or result of the verb into a noun. The underlying verb is "polarize," so the word names the process of making something polar, that is, giving it a definite orientation or direction. The plural "polarizations" simply counts separate instances of this phenomenon. In physics it describes light waves whose vibrations are confined to a particular plane, and in everyday speech it describes populations split into opposing camps, with the word's sense of two fixed opposite ends carried over from the physical meaning.

Synonyms: divisions, separations

Antonyms: unification, integration