Carbonize

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Carbonize \Car"bon*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Carbonized}; p.
     pr. & vb. n. {Carbonizing}.] [Cf. F. carboniser.]
     1. To convert (an animal or vegetable substance) into a
        residue of carbon by the action of fire or some corrosive
        agent; to char.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     2. To impregnate or combine with carbon, as in making steel
        by cementation.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  carbonize
       v 1: unite with carbon; "carburize metal" [syn: {carbonise}, {carburize},
             {carburise}]
       2: turn into carbon, as by burning; "carbonize coal" [syn: {carbonise}]