Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Oxidize
Ox′i-dize
(ŏks′ĭ-dīz)
, Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Oxidized
(ŏks′ĭ-dīzd)
; 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☞ 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.