rectify
/ˈrɛktɪfʌɪ
/verb (rectifies, rectifying, rectified) [with object]
1Put right; correct: mistakes made now cannot be rectified later efforts to rectify the situation...
- Mr Diamond has been in contact with numerous council representatives in an effort to rectify the situation, to no avail.
- However, if the damp problem has been rectified by correct installation of the stainless-steel flue, there is no need to seal the wall.
- A concerted effort must be made to rectify the situation.
Synonyms
correct, put/set/make right, right, put to rights, sort out, deal with, amend, revise, remedy, repair, fix, cure, heal, make good, reform, harmonize, retrieve, improve, better, ameliorate, adjust, resolve, settle, redress, square
informal patch up
2Convert (alternating current) to direct current: the current from the transformers is rectified by high-voltage diodes (as adjective rectified) rectified AC power systems...
- Similar to an electrical diode that rectifies an alternating voltage, it might rectify an alternating force to generate a net movement in one direction.
- We are also investigating tunnel diodes, which rectify the IR-frequency current waves in the antenna arms.
- It works by moving a magnet through a coil of wire and produces a alternating current which must then be rectified by the use of diodes.
3Find a straight line equal in length to (a curve): his methods of rectifying the cycloid
Derivatives
rectifiable
/ adjective ...- And it doesn't seem like an easily rectifiable imbalance.
- The dramatic changes I experienced after just a few lessons were because some of my problems were caused or exacerbated by quite easily rectifiable postural faults.
- A surprising number of somewhat crucial points came up at this stage, but fortunately all of them are rectifiable, so that's OK.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French rectifier, from medieval Latin rectificare, from Latin rectus 'right'.