nitrify

[ nahy-truh-fahy ]
/ ˈnaɪ trəˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object), ni·tri·fied, ni·tri·fy·ing.

to oxidize (ammonia, ammonium compounds, or atmospheric nitrogen) to nitrites, nitrates, or their respective acids, especially by bacterial action.
to impregnate with nitrogen or nitrogen compounds.
to treat or combine with nitrogen or its compounds.
(formerly) to convert into niter.

Origin of nitrify

From the French word nitrifier, dating back to 1820–30. See nitr-, niter, -i-, -fy

OTHER WORDS FROM nitrify

ni·tri·fi·a·ble, adjective

Words nearby nitrify

nitride, nitriding, nitriding steel, nitrification, nitrifier, nitrify, nitrifying bacteria, nitrile, nitrile rubber, nitrilo-, nitrite

Example sentences from the Web for nitrify

British Dictionary definitions for nitrify

nitrify
/ (ˈnaɪtrɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)

to treat or cause to react with nitrogen or a nitrogen compound
to treat (soil) with nitrates
(of nitrobacteria) to convert (ammonium compounds) into nitrates by oxidation

Derived forms of nitrify

nitrifiable, adjective