saponify

[ suh-pon-uh-fahy ]
/ səˈpɒn əˌfaɪ /
Chemistry

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.

Origin of saponify

1815–25; < Latin sāpōn- (stem of sāpō) soap + -ify

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 saponify

British Dictionary definitions for saponify

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, noun

Word Origin for saponify

C19: from French saponifier, from Latin sāpō soap

Medical definitions for saponify

saponify
[ sə-pŏn′ə-fī′ ]

v.

To undergo saponification.