saponify

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb become converted into soap by being hydrolized into an acid and alcohol as a result of being treated with an alkali
  2. verb convert into soap by hydrolizing an ester into an acid and alcohol as a result of treating it with an alkali

Etymology

From French saponifier, from Late Latin sāpō, sāpōnem (“soap”).

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