| v. t. | 1. | (Chem.) To convert into soap, as tallow or any fat; hence |
| Verb | 1. | saponify - become converted into soap by being hydrolized into an acid and alcohol as a result of being treated with an alkali; "the oil saponified" |
| 2. | saponify - convert into soap by hydrolizing an ester into an acid and alcohol as a result of treating it with an alkali; "saponify oils and fats" |