saponify Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. 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
  2. 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

WordNet

Sa*pon"i*fy transitive verb
Etymology
L. sapo, -onis, soap + -fy: cf. F. saponifier.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Saponified ; present participle & verbal noun Saponifying
Definitions
  1. 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.

Webster 1913