saponify meaning

UK US

saponify (verb): become converted into soap by being hydrolized into an acid and alcohol as a result of being treated with an alkali.

saponify has 2 meanings in this dictionary.

saponify as a verb

  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

    Type of: change

    Related forms: saponification

  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

    Type of: change

    Related forms: saponification, soap

Word lists: words starting with SA · words ending in FY · 8-letter words

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