Definition of oxidize
- v. t. - To combine with oxygen, or subject to the action of
oxygen, or of an oxidizing agent.
- 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.
- v. t. - To remove hydrogen from (anything), as by the action of
oxygen; as, to oxidize alcohol so as to form aldehyde.
- 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.