Definition of: rectify

(rek′tə·fī) v.t. ·fied, ·fy·ing
1. To make right; correct; amend.
2. Chem. To refine, as a liquid, by repeated distillations until a desired degree of purity is obtained.
3. Electr. To change (an alternating current) into a direct current by reversing the direction of alternate impulses.
4. Math. To determine the length of (a curve or arc).
5. To allow for errors or inaccuracies in, as a compass reading.
6. To adjust for accurate calculations: to rectify a globe. See synonyms under AMEND. [<OF rectifier <LL rectificare <L rectus right + facere make]
—rec′ti·fi′a·ble adjective