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.
⇒ 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.
© Webster 1913.