Saponification

[sә,pɒnifi'keiʃәn]

Definition

(noun.) a chemical reaction in which an ester is heated with an alkali (especially the alkaline hydrolysis of a fat or oil to make soap).

Inputed by Agnes--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) The act, process, or result, of soap making; conversion into soap; specifically (Chem.), the decomposition of fats and other ethereal salts by alkalies; as, the saponification of ethyl acetate.

Inputed by Kelly