denature

verb

to dehumanize
to deprive of natural qualities : change the nature of: such as: to make (alcohol) unfit for drinking (as by adding an obnoxious substance) without impairing usefulness for other purposes
to deprive of natural qualities : change the nature of: such as: to modify the molecular structure of (something, such as a protein or DNA) especially by heat, acid, alkali, or ultraviolet radiation so as to destroy or diminish some of the original properties and especially the specific biological activity
to become denatured

Pronunciation: /diːˈneɪtjə(ɹ)/ / /diːˈneɪtʃə(ɹ)/

Etymology: Borrowed from French dénaturer. By surface analysis, de- + nature.

To take away a natural characteristic or inherent property of (a thing or a person).
To add something to (alcohol) that makes it unsuitable for consumption but leaves it suitable for most other purposes.
“While you cannot drink denatured alcohol, you can still use it to remove sticker glue from most surfaces.”
To alter its original form or state, especially of a protein, by heat, acidity etc.
“Sugars are wonderfully robust materials! Unlike proteins that easily denature and coagulate, unlike fats that are damaged by air and heat and go rancid, unlike starch chains that break apart into smaller chains of glucose molecules, sugars themselves are small and stable molecules.”
“Because the activity of an enzyme depends on its structure, any change in that structure will destroy its effectiveness. So cooking foods sufficiently will denature and inactivate any enzymes they may contain.”
Of double-stranded DNA, specifically to split into two single strands.
To combine fissile material with nonfissile material in order to prevent its use in an atomic weapon.