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Oxidize - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Oxidize : (verb)
1: enter into a combination with oxygen or become converted
into an oxide; "This metal oxidizes easily" [syn: oxidise,
oxidate]
2: add oxygen to or combine with oxygen [syn: oxidise, oxidate]
[ant: deoxidize, deoxidize]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Oxidize : \Ox"i*dize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Oxidized; p. pr. &
vb. n. Oxidizing.] (Chem.)
To combine with oxygen, or subject to the action of oxygen,
or of an oxidizing agent. Specifically:
(a) To combine with oxygen or with more oxygen; to add oxygen
to; as, to oxidize nitrous acid so as to form nitric
acid.
(b) To remove hydrogen from (anything), as by the action of
oxygen; as, to oxidize alcohol so as to form aldehyde.
(c) To subject to the action of oxygen or of an oxidizing
agent, so as to bring to a higher grade, as an -ous
compound to an -ic compound; as, to oxidize mercurous
chloride to mercuric chloride.
Note: In certain cases to oxidize is identical with to
acidify; for, in nearly all cases, the more oxygen a
substance contains the more nearly does it approximate
to acid qualities; thus, by oxidation many elements, as
sulphur, nitrogen, carbon, chromium, manganese, etc.,
pass into compounds which are acid anhydrides, and thus
practically in the acid state.
Based on WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003)
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