nitrify

ni·tri·fy

 (nī′trə-fī′)

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

1. To oxidize (an ammonia compound) into a nitrite or (a nitrite) into a nitrate, especially by the action of nitrifying bacteria.

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

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ni′tri·fi·ca′tion (-fĭ-kā′shən) n.

ni′tri·fi′er n.

nitrify

(ˈnaɪtrɪˌfaɪ)

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

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

2. (Agriculture) to treat (soil) with nitrates

3. (Biology) (of nitrobacteria) to convert (ammonium compounds) into nitrates by oxidation

ˈnitriˌfiable adj

ni•tri•fy

(ˈnaɪ trəˌfaɪ)

v.t. -fied, -fy•ing.

1. to oxidize (ammonia, ammonium compounds, or atmospheric nitrogen) to nitrites, nitrates, or their respective acids, esp. by bacterial action.

2. to treat or combine with nitrogen or its compounds.

[1820–30; < French nitrifier. See niter, -ify]

ni′tri•fi`a•ble, adj.

ni`tri•fi•ca′tion, n.

ni′tri•fi`er, n.

nitrify

Past participle: nitrified
Gerund: nitrifying

Imperative

nitrify

nitrify

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"