Category:Saponify

Sa*pon"i*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Saponified; p. pr. & vb. n. Saponifying.] Etym: [l. sapo, -onis, soap + -fy: cf. F. saponifier.]

Defn: 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.