saponify
Americanverb (used with object)
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to convert (a fat) into soap by treating with an alkali.
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to decompose (any ester), forming the corresponding alcohol and acid or salt.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to undergo or cause to undergo a process in which a fat is converted into a soap by treatment with alkali
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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
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of saponify
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"This is to saponify the oil," I explained.
From The Water Eater by Marks, Winston K.
But to simplify the operation, he preferred to saponify the fat by means of lime.
From The Mysterious Island by Verne, Jules
When just enough alkali is used to completely saponify the amount of fat, the product is called a neutral, or mild, soap.
From Ontario Teachers' Manuals: Household Management by Ontario. Ministry of Education
It is advisable to saponify a little fat with it.
From The Handbook of Soap Manufacture by Simmons, W. H.
To avoid this, the quantity of alkali required to saponify the myricine is first ascertained, and then that required to saturate the free cerotic acid.
From Scientific American Supplement, No. 443, June 28, 1884 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
