Oxidize
['ɒksɪdaɪz] or ['ɑksə'daɪz]
Definition
(v. t.) To combine with oxygen, or subject to the action of oxygen, or of an oxidizing agent.
(v. t.) To combine with oxygen or with more oxygen; to add oxygen to; as, to oxidize nitrous acid so as to form nitric acid.
(v. t.) To remove hydrogen from (anything), as by the action of oxygen; as, to oxidize alcohol so as to form aldehyde.
(v. t.) To subject to the action of oxygen or of an oxidizing agent, so as to bring to a higher grade, as an -ous compound to an -ic compound; as, to oxidize mercurous chloride to mercuric chloride.
Checker: Louie
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. Oxidate, calcine, convert into an oxide.
Editor: Terence
Examples
- The active metals of the electrodes--which will oxidize and reduce in this electrolyte without dissolution or chemical deterioration--are nickel and iron. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The ammonia can in turn be oxidized to nitric acid, which is the basis of all explosives. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Thus, the positive plate becomes oxidized, and the negative plate reduced. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The carbon was lighted up to incandescence, and, of course, oxidized and disintegrated immediately. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- My face and back were streaked with yellow; the skin was thoroughly oxidized. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- This process is called _puddling_, and consists in exposing the molten metal to an oxidizing current of flame and air. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
Editor: Woodrow