dipolar
UK[daɪˈpəʊlə]US[daɪˈpoʊlər]
adj
Having two equal and opposite electric charges or magnetic poles separated by a distance.
adj
(Chemistry/Physics) Relating to or characteristic of a dipole.
Morpheme Breakdown
di
polar
di
two
polar
relating to a pole
Etymology
The word 'dipolar' is a modern scientific compound formed in English. It combines the Greek numerical prefix 'di-', meaning "two", with the adjective 'polar', which originates from Latin 'polaris' (pertaining to a pole). The Latin 'polus' itself derives from Greek 'polos', meaning "pivot, axis, or celestial sphere". Thus, the term's literal construction—"having two poles"—directly and logically describes its core scientific meaning: a system, such as an electric dipole or a magnetic dipole, characterized by two separated opposite poles or charges.
Analysis
Structure: di (two) + polar (relating to a pole)
- di: A prefix of Greek origin (from 'dis'), meaning "twice" or "double".
- polar: An adjective-forming suffix from Latin 'polaris', meaning "of or relating to a pole", derived from 'polus' (end, pivot).
Examples
Water is a dipolar molecule, which gives it unique solvent properties.
The magnetic field generated by the bar magnet is dipolar in nature.
Their analysis focused on the dipolar interaction between the two particles.