OXIDIZING
Verb
oxidizing
present participle of oxidize
Source: Wiktionary
OXIDIZE
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