Definition of SAPONIFICATION

saponification

Plural: saponifications

Noun

  • a chemical reaction in which an ester is heated with an alkali (especially the alkaline hydrolysis of a fat or oil to make soap)
  • The hydrolysis of an ester under basic conditions to form an alcohol and the salt of the acid.
  • The reaction of a metallic alkali (base) with a fat or oil to form soap.

Origin / Etymology

From French saponification, from saponifier (“saponify”).

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