Hydrogenize

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To chemically combine hydrogen with another substance, often to convert unsaturated fats into saturated fats
2. The process of introducing hydrogen atoms into a molecule to change its chemical structure, typically making it more saturated
3. Adding hydrogen to a compound through chemical reactions, commonly used to alter oils and fats to solidify them

Etymology: Hydrogenize is a plain technical coinage: hydrogen with the verbal suffix "-ize", which comes through Late Latin "-izare" from Greek "-izein" and reached English via Middle French and Middle English. The suffix is the old part; the stem is much newer. "Hydrogen" was formed in French from Greek "hudōr" meaning water and "-gene" meaning producing, so the element is named for its role in forming water, and "hydrogenize" simply turns that name into an action. The verb describes adding hydrogen atoms to a molecule, most often to an unsaturated compound such as an oil, so that its carbon-carbon double bonds become single bonds. This is why the process turned liquid vegetable oils into more solid fats, such as those used in margarine. Chemists also use the word for any reduction that adds hydrogen, not only in food processing.