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Webster 1913 Edition


Saponify

Sa-pon′i-fy

,
Verb.
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
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Saponify

SAPON'IFY

,
Verb.
T.
[L. sapo, soap, and facio, to make.]
To convert into soap by combination with an alkali.

Definition 2024


saponify

saponify

English

Verb

saponify (third-person singular simple present saponifies, present participle saponifying, simple past and past participle saponified) (transitive, intransitive)

  1. to convert a fat or oil into soap; to be converted into soap
  2. (chemistry) to hydrolyze an ester using an alkali

Translations