In electricity, to change (an alternating electric current) into a direct current by redirecting the successively opposite impulses of the alternating current so as to flow in the same direction. See rectifier .
To make right or straight; correct when wrong, erroneous, or false; amend: as, to rectify errors, mistakes, or abuses: sometimes applied to persons.
Specifically In distilling:
To remove impurities from (an alcoholic distillate) and raise to a required proof or strength by repeated distillation.
Hence— To bring (a. spirit) by repeated distillation to the strength required, and at the same time to impart to it the desired flavor. See rectifier.
In chemical manuf. and in pharmacy:
To separate impurities from (a crystalline body) by dissolving and recrystallizing it, sometimes repeatedly, and sometimes also with intermediate washing of the crystals.
To raise (a liquid) to a prescribed strength by extraction of some part of its liquid components.
To remove impurities from (solutions) by filtering them through substances absorbent of dissolved impurities, but non-absorbent of, and chemically inactive upon, the substance to be purified. Of such materials bone-black is a typical example, especially in sugar-refining
To purify by one or more resublimations.
In mathematics, to determine the length of (a curve, or a part of a curve) included between two limits.
In the use of the globes, to place (a globe) in such a position that the solution of a given problem may be effected with it.
Synonyms Improve, Better, etc. (see amend), redress, adjust, regulate.