nitrify

ni·tri·fy  (ntr-f)

tr.v. ni·tri·fied, ni·tri·fy·ing, ni·tri·fies

1. To oxidize (an ammonia compound) into nitric acid, nitrous acid, or any nitrate or nitrite, especially by the action of nitrobacteria.

2. To treat or combine with nitrogen or compounds containing nitrogen.

---

nitri·fi·cation (-f-kshn) n.

nitri·fier n.

---

nitrify [ˈnaɪtrɪˌfaɪ]

vb -fies, -fying, -fied (tr)

1. (Chemistry) to treat or cause to react with nitrogen or a nitrogen compound

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Agriculture) to treat (soil) with nitrates

3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) (of nitrobacteria) to convert (ammonium compounds) into nitrates by oxidation

nitrifiable  adj

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	nitrify - convert into nitric acid, nitrous acid, or nitrate, especially with the action of nitrobacteria convert - change the nature, purpose, or function of something; "convert lead into gold"; "convert hotels into jails"; "convert slaves to laborers"
	2.	nitrify - treat with nitrogen or a nitrogen compound nitrogenise, nitrogenize process, treat - subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition; "process cheese"; "process hair"; "treat the water so it can be drunk"; "treat the lawn with chemicals" ; "treat an oil spill"
	3.	nitrify - treat (soil) with nitrates fertilize, fertilise, feed - provide with fertilizers or add nutrients to; "We should fertilize soil if we want to grow healthy plants" denitrify - remove nitrogen from; "Denitrify the soil"