saponified


sa·pon·i·fy

verb \sə-ˈpä-nə-ˌfī\
sa·pon·i·fiedsa·pon·i·fy·ing

Definition of SAPONIFY

transitive verb
: to convert (as fat) into soap; specifically : to hydrolyze (a fat) with alkali to form a soap and glycerol
intransitive verb
: to undergo saponifying
sa·pon·i·fi·able\-ˌfī-ə-bəl\ adjective
sa·pon·i·fi·ca·tion\-ˌpä-nə-fə-ˈkā-shən\ noun
sa·pon·i·fi·er\-ˈpä-nə-ˌfī(-ə)r\ noun

Origin of SAPONIFY

French saponifier, from Latin sapon-, sapo
First Known Use: 1821

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