Crossword clues for denature
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Denature \De*na"ture\, v. t. [De- + nature.] To deprive of its natural qualities; change the nature of.
2. to render (ethyl alcohol) unfit to drink by adding in toxic or unpalatable substances (such as benzene or pyridine) which nevertherless permit alcohol to be used as a solvent.
3. modify the tertiary structure of (a protein or nucleic acid) so as to reduce or destroy its characteristic biological activity.
Note: Bioactive macromolecules such as enzymes or DNA may be denatured by heat, acid, alkali, or solvent treatment; the extent of such treatment required to denature a molecule varies with the specific compound. In some cases the denatured molecules may regain their original properties (renature) by other treatments. Denaturation may also cause a change in the physical properties of such molecules, e.g. proteins may become insoluble in water.
Denature \De*na"ture\, v. i. To become denatured.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Wiktionary
vb. 1 To take away a natural characteristic or inherent property of a thing or a person. 2 (context in reference to alcohol English) to add something that makes alcohol unsuitable for consumption but leaves the alcohol suitable for other purposes. 3 (context chemistry English) To subject (especially a protein) to conditions altering its original form or state. 4 To combine fissionable material with nonfissionable material in order to prevent its use in an atomic weapon.
WordNet
v. add nonfissionable material to (fissionable material) so as to make unsuitable for use in an atomic bomb
modify (as a native protein) especially by heat, acid, alkali, or ultraviolet radiation so that all of the original properties are removed or diminished
make (alcohol) unfit for drinking without impairing usefulness for other purposes
Wikipedia
Usage examples of "denature".
Investigations into the relative efficiency of gasoline and denatured alcohol as power producers, undertaken in connection with work for the Navy Department, have demonstrated that with proper manipulation of the carburetters, igniters, degree of compression, etc.
As Lomthelgar began to make Elves think about their prejudice, legislation slipped into place to prevent the denaturing of our Elven heritage.
The scrambler denatured her voice, made her sound like a creepoid from Planet X.
And now he wasn't going to get to hear Hector's fascinating religious theories that had sent her leafing curiously through these queer pages: of how the Bible was most likely a literary con job that employed words as vestments to desexualize, to denature, to disremember the origins of Christianity, the origins of all theological belief.
She seemed enveloped in aromas of denatured alcohol, tincture of iodine, and the distinctive smell of adhesive tape.
Unless you think it's possible to live in a ninety-six-percent solution of denatured alcohol?
Into the bag went oven cleaner, Raid, Brasso, household ammonia, denatured alcohol, and a box of ant motels.
The only smell that could be defined was that of denatured alcohol.
The odors that arose from the wagon were noxious--the barrels were filled with spoiled linseed oil, denatured alcohol, poisonous lac, bags of salt crystals, and colored powders that she didn't even recognize.
The denaturing of proteins is an exponential function of temperature.
General Cartland said: 'If you can't have those CUB-55s denatured, as you call it, some local funeral parlour is in for a brisk bit of business.