'Saponify' definitions:
Definition of 'saponify'
(from WordNet)
verb
Become converted into soap by being hydrolized into an acid and alcohol as a result of being treated with an alkali; "the oil saponified"
verb
Convert into soap by hydrolizing an ester into an acid and alcohol as a result of treating it with an alkali; "saponify oils and fats"
Definition of 'Saponify'
From: GCIDE
- Saponify \Sa*pon"i*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Saponified; p. pr. & vb. n. Saponifying.] [L. sapo, -onis, soap + -fy: cf. F. saponifier.] To convert into soap, as tallow or any fat; hence (Chem.), to subject to any similar process, as that which ethereal salts undergo in decomposition; as, to saponify ethyl acetate. [1913 Webster]