First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
pulverize
verb pul·ver·ize \ˈpəl-və-ˌrīz\
: to crush, beat, or grind (something) into powder or dust
: to destroy or defeat (someone or something) completely
pul·ver·izedpul·ver·iz·ing
Full Definition of PULVERIZE
transitive verb
1
: to reduce (as by crushing, beating, or grinding) to very small particles : atomize <pulverize rock>
2
intransitive verb
: to become pulverized
— pul·ver·iz·able \ˌpəl-və-ˈrī-zə-bəl\ adjective
— pul·ver·i·za·tion \ˌpəl-və-rə-ˈzā-shən, ˌpəlv-rə-\ noun
— pul·ver·iz·er \ˈpəl-və-ˌrī-zər\ noun
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Origin of PULVERIZE
Middle English, from Late Latin pulverizare, from Latin pulver-, pulvis dust, powder — more at powder
PULVERIZE Defined for Kids
pulverize
verb pul·ver·ize \ˈpəl-və-ˌrīz\
pul·ver·izedpul·ver·iz·ing
Definition of PULVERIZE for Kids
: to beat or grind into a powder or dust
Medical Dictionary
pulverize
verb pul·ver·ize
pul·ver·ized also British pul·ver·isedpul·ver·iz·ing also British pul·ver·is·ing
Medical Definition of PULVERIZE
transitive verb
: to reduce (as by crushing, beating, or grinding) to very small particles
intransitive verb
: to become pulverized
Variants of PULVERIZE
pul·ver·ize also British pul·ver·ise \ˈpəl-və-ˌrīz\
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