Library / English Dictionary

RECTIFY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected form: rectified   

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Convert into direct current

Example:

rectify alternating current

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "rectify" is one way to...):

change; commute; convert; exchange (exchange or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

rectification (the conversion of alternating current to direct current)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Make right or correct

Example:

rectify the calculation

Synonyms:

correct; rectify; right

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "rectify" is one way to...):

change by reversal; reverse; turn (change to the contrary)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "rectify"):

amend; rectify; remediate; remedy; repair (set straight or right)

debug (locate and correct errors in a computer program code)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

rectification (the act of offering an improvement to replace a mistake; setting right)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Set straight or right

Example:

repair an oversight

Synonyms:

amend; rectify; remediate; remedy; repair

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "rectify" is one way to...):

correct; rectify; right (make right or correct)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

rectification (the act of offering an improvement to replace a mistake; setting right)

rectifier (a person who corrects or sets right)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Bring, lead, or force to abandon a wrong or evil course of life, conduct, and adopt a right one

Example:

reform your conduct

Synonyms:

reclaim; rectify; reform; regenerate

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "rectify" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Verb group:

reform; see the light; straighten out (change for the better)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "rectify"):

moralise; moralize (improve the morals of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

rectification (the act of offering an improvement to replace a mistake; setting right)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; separate from extraneous matter or cleanse from impurities

Example:

refine sugar

Synonyms:

rectify; refine

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "rectify" is one way to...):

distill; make pure; purify; sublimate (remove impurities from, increase the concentration of, and separate through the process of distillation)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

rectification ((chemistry) the process of refinement or purification of a substance by distillation)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Math: determine the length of

Example:

rectify a curve

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "rectify" is one way to...):

ascertain; determine; find; find out (establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

rectification (determination of the length of a curve; finding a straight line equal in length to a given curve)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Again, carbolic or rectified spirits would be the preservatives which would suggest themselves to the medical mind, certainly not rough salt.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Stimulation of the mu-receptor inhibits adenyl cyclase activity, induces opening of G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels, and blocks the opening of N-type voltage-gated calcium channels, resulting in hyperpolarization and reduced neuronal excitability; in addition, neuronal release of neurotransmitters such as substance P, GABA, dopamine, acetylcholine and noradrenaline may decrease.

(Fentanyl Matrix Transdermal Patch, NCI Thesaurus)

The analgesic effect of fentanyl is likely due to its metabolite morphine, which induces opening of G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels and blocks the opening of N-type voltage-gated calcium channels, thereby resulting in hyperpolarization and reduced neuronal excitability.

(Fentanyl, NCI Thesaurus)

The analgesic effect of codeine sulfate is likely due to its metabolite morphine, which induces opening of G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels and blocks the opening of N-type voltage-gated calcium channels, thereby resulting in hyperpolarization and reduced neuronal excitability.

(Codeine Sulfate, NCI Thesaurus)

Stimulation of mu-subtype opioid receptors results in a decrease in the release of nociceptive neurotransmitters such as substance P, GABA, dopamine, acetylcholine and noradrenaline; in addition, the codeine metabolite morphine induces opening of G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels and blocks the opening of N-type voltage-gated calcium channels, resulting in hyperpolarization and reduced neuronal excitability.

(Codeine, NCI Thesaurus)

Miss Thorpe, however, being four years older than Miss Morland, and at least four years better informed, had a very decided advantage in discussing such points; she could compare the balls of Bath with those of Tunbridge, its fashions with the fashions of London; could rectify the opinions of her new friend in many articles of tasteful attire; could discover a flirtation between any gentleman and lady who only smiled on each other; and point out a quiz through the thickness of a crowd.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

That her manner was wrong, however, at times very wrong, her measures often ill-chosen and ill-timed, and her looks and language very often indefensible, Fanny could not cease to feel; but she began to hope they might be rectified.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)