OXIDIZE

oxidize, oxidise, oxidate

(verb) add oxygen to or combine with oxygen

oxidise, oxidize, oxidate

(verb) enter into a combination with oxygen or become converted into an oxide; “This metal oxidizes easily”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

oxidize (third-person singular simple present oxidizes, present participle oxidizing, simple past and past participle oxidized)

(chemistry, transitive) To combine with oxygen or otherwise make an oxide.

(chemistry) To increase the valence (or the positive charge) of an element by removing electrons.

To coat something with an oxide.

(intransitive) To become oxidized.

Source: Wiktionary

Ox"i*dize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Oxidized; p. pr. & vb. n. Oxidizing.] (Chem.)

Definition: 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.

Note: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition