Oxidize

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈɒksɪdaɪz/

Definitions

1. To undergo a chemical reaction that involves the addition of oxygen or the loss of electrons, leading to changes in composition or degradation over time
2. To engage in a process where a substance reacts with oxygen or loses electrons, often resulting in corrosion or transformative effects
3. To cause a material to chemically combine with oxygen leading to alteration ; to experience a reaction where oxygen is gained or electrons are lost, often changing the substance's properties

Etymology: Oxidize is a chemist's coinage built from a word that predates chemistry by centuries. The root "oxide" was formed in French from "oxygène", which was itself made from Ancient Greek "oxús", meaning "sharp" or "acid", and "génos", meaning "birth" or "origin". The name was given to oxygen on the belief that it was the essential ingredient of acids, a belief that later turned out to be wrong. The verb is simply "oxide" with the suffix "-ize", which turns a noun into a verb meaning to make or become something. Chemists formed "oxidize" to describe substances combining with oxygen, so the word was built on purpose rather than evolving naturally. Its meaning has widened over time: where it once referred only to combining with oxygen, it now covers any reaction involving the loss of electrons, even when no oxygen is present.

Synonyms: rust, corrode, tarnish, react with oxygen

Antonyms: reduce