a sharp division, as of a population or group, into opposing factions.

Optics . a state, or the production of a state, in which rays of light or similar radiation exhibit different properties in different directions. Compare circular polarization , elliptical polarization , plane polarization .

Electricity .

the deposit of gases, produced during electrolysis, on the electrodes of a cell, increasing the resistance of the cell.

a vector quantity indicating the electric dipole moment per unit of volume of a dielectric.

the induction of polarity in a ferromagnetic substance.

the production or acquisition of polarity.