Chemicalize

/ˈkɛmɪkəlaɪz/ verb

Definition

To treat, process, or transform something using chemical methods or to cause something to become chemical in nature.

Etymology

From 'chemical' + '-ize' (from Latin -izare and Greek -izein). The -ize suffix creates verbs meaning 'to make or become' the quality of the root word.

Kelly Says

In the 1800s, chemicalize was used to describe everything from bleaching fabrics to attempting to chemically preserve the dead—it represented humanity's newfound belief that chemistry could improve or preserve almost anything.

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