saponify
[ suh-pon-uh-fahy ]
/ səˈpɒn əˌfaɪ /
verb (used with object), sa·pon·i·fied, sa·pon·i·fy·ing.
to convert (a fat) into soap by treating with an alkali.
to decompose (any ester), forming the corresponding alcohol and acid or salt.
verb (used without object), sa·pon·i·fied, sa·pon·i·fy·ing.
to become converted into soap.
OTHER WORDS FROM saponify
Words nearby saponify
sapodilla family,
saponaceous,
saponaria,
saponification,
saponification number,
saponify,
saponin,
saponite,
sapor,
saporific,
saporous
Example sentences from the Web for saponification
British Dictionary definitions for saponification
saponify
/ (səˈpɒnɪˌfaɪ) /
verb -fies, -fying or -fied chem
to undergo or cause to undergo a process in which a fat is converted into a soap by treatment with alkali
to undergo or cause to undergo a reaction in which an ester is hydrolysed to an acid and an alcohol as a result of treatment with an alkali
Derived forms of saponify
saponifiable, adjective saponifier, noun saponification, nounWord Origin for saponify
C19: from French
saponifier, from Latin
sāpō
soap
Medical definitions for saponification (1 of 2)
saponification
[ sə-pŏn′ə-fĭ-kā′shən ]
n.
A reaction in which an ester is heated with an alkali, such as sodium hydroxide, producing a free alcohol and an acid salt, especially alkaline hydrolysis of a fat or oil to make soap.
Medical definitions for saponification (2 of 2)
saponify
[ sə-pŏn′ə-fī′ ]
v.
To undergo saponification.