unipolar adjective. [ju:nɪ'pǝʊlǝ] E19.
[from UNI- + POLAR.]
1. Electricity.
a. Produced by or proceeding from one magnetic pole; exhibiting one kind of polarity. E19.
unipolar induction electrical induction in which a continuous direct current is produced in a conductor joining a magnetic pole and equator by the rotation of either the conductor or the magnet.
b. Of apparatus: having or operating by means of one magnetic pole; involving or operating by means of unipolar induction. L19.

2. Biology. Of nerve cells etc.: having one pole or process. M19.

3. Electronics. Of a transistor etc.: involving conduction by charge carriers of a single polarity. M20.

4. Psychiatry. Of a psychiatric disorder: characterized by either depressive or (more rarely) manic episodes but not both. M20.

■ unipo'larity noun the condition or quality of being unipolar L19.

■ unipolarly adverb E20.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲