saponify verb. [sǝ'pɒnɪfʌɪ] E19.
[French saponifier, from Latin sapo(n-): see SAPONARIA, -FY.]
Chemistry.
1. verb trans. Orig., convert (a fat or oil) into soap by alkaline hydrolysis. Now also, hydrolyse (an ester) to form a metal salt and an alcohol. E19.

2. verb intrans. Orig., (of a fat or oil) become converted into soap. Now also, (of an ester) become hydrolysed to form a metal salt and an alcohol. E19.

■ saponifiable adjective able to be saponified or converted into soap M19.

■ saponifier noun (a) (now rare or obsolete) an apparatus for isolating glycerine and fatty acids by saponification; (b) an alkali used in saponification: L19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲