1. (v. t.) To combine with oxygen, or subject to the action of oxygen, or of an oxidizing agent.
2. (v. t.) To combine with oxygen or with more oxygen; to add oxygen to; as, to oxidize nitrous acid so as to form nitric acid.
3. (v. t.) To remove hydrogen from (anything), as by the action of oxygen; as, to oxidize alcohol so as to form aldehyde.
4. (v. t.) 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.
Thesaurus Entries
acetify, acidify, acidulate, alkalify, alkalize, blaze, blister, borate, brand, burn, burn in, burn off, canker, carbonate, cast, catalyze, cauterize, char, chemical, chlorinate, coal, corrode, crack, cupel, eat, eat away, eat into, electrolyze, erode, ferment, flame, found, gnaw, homopolymerize, hydrate, hydrogenate, hydroxylate, isomerize, nibble away, nitrate, oxidate, parch, pepsinate, peroxidize, phosphatize, polymerize, pyrolyze, reduce, rust, scorch, sear, singe, solder, sulfate, sulfatize, sulfonate, swinge, torrefy, vesicate, vulcanize, weld, work
