Saponify

[sә'pɒnifai]

Definition

(verb.) 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'.

(verb.) become converted into soap by being hydrolized into an acid and alcohol as a result of being treated with an alkali; 'the oil saponified'.

Typist: Paul--From WordNet

Definition

(v. t.) 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.

Edited by Dorothy