GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   Saponify , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Saponified ; p. pr. & vb. n. Saponifying .] [L. sapo, -onis, soap + -fy: cf. F. saponifier.] To convert into soap, as tallow or any fat; hence (Chem.), to subject to any similar process, as that which ethereal salts undergo in decomposition; as, to saponify ethyl acetate.
   1913 Webster