English dictionary
saponification
Definitions, examples, synonyms and antonyms from WordNet 3.0.
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)
Source: WordNet 3.0
-
The act, process, or result, of soap making; conversion into soap; specifically <i>(Chem.)</i>, the decomposition of fats and other ethereal salts by alkalies; as, the <i>saponification</i> of ethyl acetate.
Source: webster1913