saponify

American  

[suh-pon-uh-fahy] / səˈpɒn əˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

saponified, saponifying

1. to convert (a fat) into soap by treating with an alkali.

2. to decompose (any ester), forming the corresponding alcohol and acid or salt.

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verb (used without object)

saponified, saponifying

1. to become converted into soap.

saponify British  

/ səˈpɒnɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to undergo or cause to undergo a process in which a fat is converted into a soap by treatment with alkali

2. 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

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Other Word Forms

• nonsaponifiable adjective
• nonsaponification noun
• saponifiable adjective
• saponification noun
• saponifier noun
• unsaponifiable adjective
• unsaponified adjective

Etymology

Origin of saponify

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

Example Sentences

Benzine does not act like an alkali; it does not saponify the greasy body, but it dissolves it as water dissolves a salt, a gum or gelatine.

From Book Repair and Restoration by Buck, Mitchell

To saponify a ton of rosin there are required 200 lbs. soda ash, 1,600 lbs. water and 100 lbs. salt.

From Soap-Making Manual A Practical Handbook on the Raw Materials, Their Manipulation, Analysis and Control in the Modern Soap Plant. by Thomssen, E. G.

Saponification of the Oil.—Considerable light is thrown on the composition of a fixed oil by ascertaining how much alkali is required to saponify it.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 488, May 9, 1885 by Various

It does not readily saponify, separates quickly, and it is almost impossible to unite when separated.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 360, November 25, 1882 by Various

Cotton-seed oil requires weak lyes for saponification, and, being difficult to saponify alone even with prolonged boiling, is generally mixed with animal fat.

From The Handbook of Soap Manufacture by Simmons, W. H.