'Saponifying' definitions:
Definition of 'Saponifying'
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]