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Glite Dictionary
to polymerize

to polymerize

1 8.8
To join small molecules together to make a long molecule
  • verb
  • /ˈpɒlɪməˌraɪz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : polimerizar
  • When the temperature increases, the small molecules in the solution begin to polymerize and form a solid structure.
  • polymerized formaldehyde

Membranes start to polymerize instead of being fluid.

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Examples

  • Membranes start to polymerize instead of being fluid.

    Dr. Josh Axe

  • Matrigel was added to a 96-well tissue culture plate and allowed to polymerize at 37 degrees C for 20 min.

    Academic text (2018)

  • A photopolymer is liquid until it's exposed to ultraviolet light, and then it polymerizes, or solidifies, into a plastic," Ruprecht said.

    Blog text (21)

  • I tossed the halves into the oven for an hour on a very low temperature to help the epoxy 'kick' and start polymerizing (which is what actually causes it to harden).

    Blog text (13)

  • Researchers were excited to see how the new compound would polymerize into a flexible material during the experiment.

  • The scientist noticed that the monomers would polymerize rapidly when exposed to certain catalysts.

Surface Forms

polymerize infinitive
polymerized past
polymerized past participle
polymerizing present participle
polymerizes third person singular

Morphology

polymerize = polymer (transparent) = polymer + ize

The verb is formed by adding the productive verb-forming suffix '-ize' to the noun 'polymer', yielding 'to make or form into a polymer'.

Etymology

Polymerize comes from poly- meaning 'many' and -mer meaning 'part', so it gives the image of many small parts coming together. To polymerize is to join many small molecules into long chains, which is why chemists use it to make plastics and resins.