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Verb: denature  dee'ney-chu(r)
  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

Derived forms: denatured, denatures, denaturing

Type of: alter, change, modify

Encyclopedia: Denature