Defn: 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.
OXIDIZEMENT
Ox"i*dize`ment, n.
Defn: Oxidation. [R.]
OXIDIZER
Ox"i*di`zer, n. (Chem.)
Defn: An agent employed in oxidation, or which facilitates or brings about combination with oxygen; as, nitric acid, chlorine, bromine, etc., are strong oxidizers.
OXIDULATED
Ox*id"u*la`ted, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Existing in the state of a protoxide; — said of an oxide. [R.]
OXIME
Ox"ime, n. (Chem.)
Defn: One of a series of isonitroso derivatives obtained by the action of hydroxylamine on aldehydes or ketones.