saponification Meaning, Definition & Usage
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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)
WordNet
Sa*pon`i*fi*ca"tion noun
Etymology
Cf. F.Definitions
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"ethereal salt" = ester