serpentinize

[ sur-puh n-tee-nahyz ]
/ ˌsɜr pənˈti naɪz /

verb (used with object), ser·pen·tin·ized, ser·pen·tin·iz·ing. Mineralogy.

to convert (a mineral or rock) into serpentine.
Also especially British, ser·pen·tin·ise.

Origin of serpentinize

First recorded in 1785–95; serpentine2 + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM serpentinize

ser·pen·tin·i·za·tion, noun