saponification Hear it!

saponification definition

sa·poni·fi·ca·tion (sə pän′ə fi kā′s̸hən)

noun

the conversion of an ester heated with an alkali into the corresponding alcohol and acid salt; specif., this process carried out with fats (glyceryl esters) to produce soap

Etymology: Fr < saponifier: see saponify

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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