\Ox"i*dize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Oxidized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Oxidizing}.] (Chem.)
To combine with oxygen, or subject to the action of oxygen,
or of an oxidizing agent. Specifically:
(a) To combine with oxygen or with more oxygen; to add oxygen
    to; as, to oxidize nitrous acid so as to form nitric
    acid.
(b) To remove hydrogen from (anything), as by the action of
    oxygen; as, to oxidize alcohol so as to form aldehyde.
(c) To subject to the action of oxygen or of an oxidizing
    agent, so as to bring to a higher grade, as an -ous
    compound to an -ic compound; as, to oxidize mercurous
    chloride to mercuric chloride.

Note: In certain cases to oxidize is identical with to
      acidify; for, in nearly all cases, the more oxygen a
      substance contains the more nearly does it approximate
      to acid qualities; thus, by oxidation many elements, as
      sulphur, nitrogen, carbon, chromium, manganese, etc.,
      pass into compounds which are acid anhydrides, and thus
      practically in the acid state.