azotize
|az-o-tize|
/ˈæzətaɪz/
to add or combine with nitrogen
Etymology
'azotize' originates from French, specifically the word 'azotiser', where 'azote' ultimately comes from Greek roots 'a-' (not) + 'zoe' (life), referring to a gas that does not support life (nitrogen).
'azotize' changed from French 'azotiser' and entered English usage in the 19th century as a verb meaning 'to treat with azote (nitrogen)'.
Initially, it meant 'to treat with azote (nitrogen)', and over time it has remained a technical term for introducing or combining nitrogen with a substance.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to treat or combine (a substance) with nitrogen (azote); to introduce nitrogen into a compound or material.
The chemist planned to azotize the sample to study its stability under a nitrogen-rich environment.
Synonyms
Verb 2
(obsolete/technical) To convert into a nitrogen-containing compound or to impart properties associated with nitrogenation.
Historically, chemists would azotize certain oils to alter their chemical behavior.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/08 06:20