Webster's English Dictionary

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oxidize

ox.i.dize \-.di-z\ vb [oxide + -ize] 1: to combine with oxygen  2: to 
   dehydrogenate esp. by the action of oxygen  3: to change (a compound) by 
   increasing the proportion of the electronegat ive part or change (an 
   element or ion) from a lower to a higher positive valence : remove one or 
   more electrons from (an atom, ion, or molecule) : to become oxidized  - 
   ox.i.diz.er n