Rectify
['rektɪfaɪ] or ['rɛktɪfaɪ]
Definition
(verb.) convert into direct current; 'rectify alternating current'.
(verb.) set straight or right; 'remedy these deficiencies'; 'rectify the inequities in salaries'; 'repair an oversight'.
(verb.) math: determine the length of; 'rectify a curve'.
Edited by Annabel--From WordNet
Definition
(v. t.) To make or set right; to correct from a wrong, erroneous, or false state; to amend; as, to rectify errors, mistakes, or abuses; to rectify the will, the judgment, opinions; to rectify disorders.
(v. t.) To refine or purify by repeated distillation or sublimation, by which the fine parts of a substance are separated from the grosser; as, to rectify spirit of wine.
(v. t.) To produce ( as factitious gin or brandy) by redistilling low wines or ardent spirits (whisky, rum, etc.), flavoring substances, etc., being added.
Editor: Milton
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. [1]. Correct, redress, mend, reform, amend, set right, make right.[2]. (Chem.) Refine, purify.
Checker: Melva
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Straighten, correct, a_need, better, adjust, emend, reform, redress, regulate,rearrange, remodel
ANT:Pervert, corrupt, derange, disorder, distort
Checked by Gardner
Definition
v.t. to make straight or right: to adjust: to correct or redress: to purify by repeated crystallisation or sublimation or by distillations: (math.) to determine the length of a curve included between two limits: to prepare a sun-dial for an observation:—pa.t. and pa.p. rec′tified.—adj. Rectifī′able that may be rectified or set right.—ns. Rectificā′tion the act of rectifying or setting right: the process of refining any substance by repeated distillation: rectification of a globe its adjustment preparatory to the solution of a proposed problem; Rec′tifier one who corrects: one who refines a substance by repeated distillation.—Rectify the course of a vessel to determine its true course from indications of the ship's compass and allowing for magnetic variations &c.; Rectify the globe to bring the sun's place in the ecliptic on a globe to the brass meridian.
Checked by Elaine
Examples
- There is a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- She would just give me something to do, to rectify--a theme for my tutor lectures. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- This explanation will serve to rectify mistakes which may already have been made, and to prevent future errors. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- I had little faith in the power of education to rectify such a mind; or rather, I entirely misdoubted my own ability to influence it. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Only by a pupil's own observations, reflections, framing and testing of suggestions can what he already knows be amplified and rectified. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- The slight omission was rectified. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Here is some great misapprehension which must be rectified. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
Edited by Gillian