Oxidizing

1 definition found

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

  Oxidize \Ox"i*dize\ ([o^]ks"[i^]*d[imac]z), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
     {Oxidized} ([o^]ks"[i^]*d[imac]zd); p. pr. & vb. n.
     {Oxidizing}.] (Chem.)
     To combine with oxygen, or subject to the action of oxygen,
     or of an oxidizing agent. Specifically:
     (a) To combine with oxygen or with more oxygen; to add oxygen


         to; as, to oxidize nitrous acid so as to form nitric
         acid.
     (b) To remove hydrogen from (anything), as by the action of
         oxygen; as, to oxidize alcohol so as to form aldehyde.
     (c) To subject to the action of oxygen or of an oxidizing
         agent, so as to bring to a higher grade, as an -ous
         compound to an -ic compound; as, to oxidize mercurous
         chloride to mercuric chloride.
         [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: In certain cases to oxidize is identical with to
           acidify; for, in nearly all cases, the more oxygen a
           substance contains the more nearly does it approximate
           to acid qualities; thus, by oxidation many elements, as
           sulphur, nitrogen, carbon, chromium, manganese, etc.,
           pass into compounds which are acid anhydrides, and thus
           practically in the acid state.
           [1913 Webster]