1811, "develop polarization in," in optics, from French polariser, coined by French physicist Étienne-Louis Malus (1775-1812) as a term in optics, from Modern Latin polaris "polar" (see polar). Transferred sense of "to accentuate a division in a group or system" is recorded from 1949 in Arthur Koestler. Related: Polarized; polarizing.

the end of some nouns of action; see -ate + -ion.

also depolarisation, "act of depriving of polarity or removing the effects of polarization," 1814; see de- + polarization. Perhaps an agent noun to depolarize "deprive of polarity," which is attested from 1813 (implied in depolarized), originally in optics.

chiefly British English spelling of polarization. For spelling, see -ize. Related: Polarise; polarised; polarising.