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oxidizing |
1 definition found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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.
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