Ox"i*dize (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Oxidized (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Oxidizing.] (Chem.) To combine with oxygen, or
subject to the action of oxygen, or of an oxidizing agent.
Specifically: (a) To combine with oxygen or with
more oxygen; to add oxygen to; as, to oxidize nitrous acid so
as to form nitric acid. (b) To remove
hydrogen from (anything), as by the action of oxygen; as, to
oxidize alcohol so as to form aldehyde.
(c) To subject to the action of oxygen or of an
oxidizing agent, so as to bring to a higher grade, as an -ous
compound to an -ic compound; as, to oxidize mercurous
chloride to mercuric chloride.
&fist; In certain cases to oxidize is identical with to
acidify; for, in nearly all cases, the more oxygen a substance
contains the more nearly does it approximate to acid qualities; thus,
by oxidation many elements, as sulphur, nitrogen, carbon, chromium,
manganese, etc., pass into compounds which are acid anhydrides, and
thus practically in the acid state.
