Skip to definition.
Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps


Verb: saponify  su'pó-nu,fI
  1. (chemistry) become converted into soap by being hydrolyzed into an acid and alcohol as a result of being treated with an alkali
    "the oil saponified"
     
  2. (chemistry) 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"

Derived forms: saponifying, saponifies, saponified

See also: saponified, unsaponified

Type of: alter, change, modify

Encyclopedia: Saponify

Nearest

sapodilla family
sapodilla plum
sapodilla tree
saponaceous
Saponaria
Saponaria officinalis
Saponaria vaccaria
saponifiable
saponification
saponified
saponify
saponin
saponite
sapor
saporous
sapota
Sapotaceae
sapote
sapper
Sapphic
sapphic