Saponification
/ˌsæp.ə.nɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/noun
The process of converting fats or oils into soap through the action of an alkali.
Did you know?In ancient times, soap was considered a luxury and often linked to purification rituals, believed to cleanse not just the body but also the spirit.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sāpo-
“a substance used for washing, likely derived from the act of cleansing.”
Latin
Latin
sapo
“soap; the term for a cleansing compound made from fats.”
Middle French
Old French
saponification
“the process of making soap, derived from 'sapon' meaning soap.”
18th Century
English
saponification
“adoption of the term for the chemical process of soap creation.”