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nitrify

transitive verb
ni·​tri·​fy | \ ˈnī-trə-ˌfī \
-ed/-ing/-es

Definition of nitrify 

1 : to combine or impregnate with nitrogen or a nitrogen compound
2 : to convert by oxidation into nitric acid or nitrous acid or their salts : subject to or produce by nitrification — compare nitrosify

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History and Etymology for nitrify

French nitrifier, from nitre niter + -ifier -ify

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