saponify

[suh-pon-uh-fahy] /səˈpɒn əˌfaɪ/
verb (used with object), saponified, saponifying.
1.
to convert (a fat) into soap by treating with an alkali.
2.
to decompose (any ester), forming the corresponding alcohol and acid or salt.
verb (used without object), saponified, saponifying.
3.
to become converted into soap.
Origin
1815-25; < Latin sāpōn- (stem of sāpō) soap + -ify
Related forms
saponifiable, adjective
saponification, noun
saponifier, noun
nonsaponifiable, adjective
nonsaponification, noun
unsaponifiable, adjective
unsaponified, adjective
Examples from the web for saponify
  • Strong bases can both denature proteins and saponify fats, which facilitates tissue penetration and damage.
British Dictionary definitions for saponify

saponify

/səˈpɒnɪˌfaɪ/
verb (chem) -fies, -fying, -fied
1.
to undergo or cause to undergo a process in which a fat is converted into a soap by treatment with alkali
2.
to undergo or cause to undergo a reaction in which an ester is hydrolysed to an acid and an alcohol as a result of treatment with an alkali
Derived Forms
saponifiable, adjective
saponifier, noun
saponification, noun
Word Origin
C19: from French saponifier, from Latin sāpōsoap
Word Origin and History for saponify
v.

1821, from French saponifier (see saponification). Related: Saponified; saponifying.

saponify in Medicine

saponify sa·pon·i·fy (sə-pŏn'ə-fī')
v. sa·pon·i·fied, sa·pon·i·fy·ing, sa·pon·i·fies
To undergo saponification.