passivate

[ pas-uh-veyt ]
/ ˈpæs əˌveɪt /

verb (used with object), pas·si·vat·ed, pas·si·vat·ing. Metallurgy.

to treat (a metal) to render the surface less reactive chemically.

Origin of passivate

First recorded in 1910–15; passive + -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM passivate

pas·si·va·tion, noun

Words nearby passivate

passionflower, passionfruit, passionist, passionless, passiontide, passivate, passive, passive anaphylaxis, passive clot, passive congestion, passive euthanasia

British Dictionary definitions for passivate

passivate
/ (ˈpæsɪˌveɪt) /

verb

(tr) to render (a metal) less susceptible to corrosion by coating the surface with a substance, such as an oxide