v. t. | 1. | 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. | |
v. i. | 1. | To become denatured. |
Verb | 1. | denature - add nonfissionable material to (fissionable material) so as to make unsuitable for use in an atomic bomb |
2. | denature - 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. | denature - make (alcohol) unfit for drinking without impairing usefulness for other purposes |