nitrify

transitive verb

ni·​tri·​fy ˈnī-trə-ˌfī 

-ed/-ing/-es

1

: to combine or impregnate with nitrogen or a nitrogen compound

2

: to convert by oxidation into nitric acid or nitrous acid or their salts : subject to or produce by nitrification compare nitrosify

Word History

Etymology

French nitrifier, from nitre niter + -ifier -ify

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