Saponify

2 definitions found

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

  Saponify \Sa*pon"i*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Saponified}; p. pr.
     & vb. n. {Saponifying}.] [L. sapo, -onis, soap + -fy: cf. F.
     saponifier.]
     To convert into soap, as tallow or any fat; hence (Chem.), to
     subject to any similar process, as that which ethereal salts
     undergo in decomposition; as, to saponify ethyl acetate.


     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  saponify
       v 1: become converted into soap by being hydrolized into an acid
            and alcohol as a result of being treated with an alkali;
            "the oil saponified"
       2: convert into soap by hydrolizing an ester into an acid and
          alcohol as a result of treating it with an alkali;
          "saponify oils and fats"
       [also: {saponified}]