volatilize, v.
(ˈvɒlətɪlaɪz)
[f. volatile a. + -ize. Cf. F. volatiliser (1611), Sp. and Pg. -izar, It. -izzare.]
1. trans. To render volatile; to cause to evaporate or disperse in vapour.
| 1657 G. Starkey Helmont's Vind. To Rdr., Salt of Tartar volatilized, or made into a spiritual Elixir, with any essential oyle, is an absolute corrector of all vegetal poysons. 1672–3 Grew Anat. Pl., Anat. Roots (1682) 89 The Air-Vessels, or rather, the Aery Ferment contained in them, volatilizing only a smaller portion of the Sap. 1755 Phil. Trans. XLIX. 341 Hence we see how necessary heat is, to volatilize the rancid oil. 1778 Pryce Min. Cornub. 253 The Glass..is likely to detain any of the nobler Metals, which the arsenick might otherwise volatilize. 1807 T. Thomson Chem. (ed. 3) II. 254 The acids belonging to the first order are crystallizable, and they may be volatilized by heat without undergoing decomposition. 1849 D. Campbell Inorg. Chem. 221 When the protochloride of uranium is carefully heated, so as not to volatilize it,..this compound remains. 1874 tr. Lommel's Light 153 If a fragment of zinc be volatilised between the carbon poles a series of beautifully coloured striæ are seen. |
b. fig. To render light, airy, unsubstantial, etc.
| 1664 Power Exp. Philos. Concl. 184 The greatest part of Humanity is [so] lost in Earth..that nothing can volatilize them, and set their Reasons at Liberty. 1822–56 De Quincey Confess. (1862) 198 Beyond a certain point it is sure to volatilise and to disperse the intellectual energies. 1856 Merivale Rom. Emp. xli. (1865) V. 121 Propertius is deficient in that light touch and exquisitely polished taste which volatilize the sensuality and flattery of Horace. 1882 Farrar Early Chr. I. 274 On the other hand [in Philo's philosophy] angels are sometimes volatilised into ideas. |
2. intr. To become volatile; to evaporate.
| 1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Volatilisation, To dispose the fix'd Salts of Plants to volatilise, the Process is to be begun by making them into a Sapa. 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) II. 33 It does not give out its Acid in any heat, but rather volatilizes. 1822 Imison's Sci. & Art II. 125 It easily fuses and Volatilizes before the blow-pipe. 1842 E. A. Parnell Chem. Anal. (1845) 21 The chlorine is expelled almost before the acid begins to volatilize. 1880 MacCormac Antiseptic Surgery 152 The solution must be renewed from time to time as the carbolic acid volatilises. |
| fig. 1892 Nation (N.Y.) 15 Dec. 454/2 To those who know pictures as very tangible things..it is puzzling to find them volatilizing before their eyes and evaporating into a haze of words. |
Hence
ˈvolatilized,
ˈvolatilizing ppl. adjs. Also
ˈvolatilizer, an apparatus for volatilizing.
| 1727 Bailey (vol. II), Volatilizing, making volatile. c 1789 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) IV. 513/1 To bring vinegar therefore nearer the state of tartar, we must deprive it of its fine volatilizing phlogiston. 1825 J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 724 The volatilised mercury is again condensed. 1869 E. A. Parkes Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3) 87 The volatilising turpentine may..carry into the air particles of plumbic carbonate. 1878 Abney Photogr. 282 The spectrum of the volatilised metal falls on the sensitive plate. 1897 Kellogg in Voice (N.Y.) 23 Dec. 5/2 The employment of medicinal vapors by means of a suitable volatilizer or vaporizer. |