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saponification - 5 dictionary results

sa⋅pon⋅i⋅fy

[suh-pon-uh-fahy] verb, -fied, -fy⋅ing. Chemistry
–verb (used with object)
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)
3. to become converted into soap.

Origin:
1815–25; < L sāpōn- (s. of sāpō) soap + -ify


sa⋅pon⋅i⋅fi⋅a⋅ble, adjective
sa⋅pon⋅i⋅fi⋅ca⋅tion, noun
sa⋅pon⋅i⋅fi⋅er, noun
sa·pon·i·fi·ca·tion   (sə-pŏn'ə-fĭ-kā'shən)   
n.  A reaction in which an ester is heated with an alkali, such as sodium hydroxide, producing a free alcohol and an acid salt, especially alkaline hydrolysis of a fat or oil to make soap.

Saponification

Sa*pon`i*fi*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. saponification. See Saponify.] 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.

Main Entry: sa·pon·i·fi·ca·tion
Pronunciation: s&-"pän-&-f&-'kA-sh&n
Function: noun
1 : thehydrolysis of a fat by an alkali with the formation of a soap and glycerol
2 : the hydrolysis especially by an alkali of an ester into the corresponding alcohol and acid;broadly : HYDROLYSIS

saponification sa·pon·i·fi·ca·tion (sə-pŏn'ə-fĭ-kā'shən)
n.
A reaction in which an ester is heated with an alkali, such as sodium hydroxide, producing a free alcohol and an acid salt, especially alkaline hydrolysis of a fat or an oil to make soap.

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