carbonize, v.
(ˈkɑːbɒnaɪz)
[f. carbon n. + -ize.]
1. trans. To convert into mere carbon; to reduce to charcoal or coke.
| 1806 Hatchett in Phil. Trans. XCVI. 131 note, Caoutchouc and elastic bitumen were only superficially carbonized by the sulphuric acid. 1816 J. Laurence in Monthly Mag. XLII. 298 Diamond..we can carbonize that precious gem, and prove it to be charcoal. 1870 F. L. Pope Electr. Tel. iv. (1872) 44 A flash of..electricity frequently carbonizes the paper between the plates. |
2. To carburet or carburize. arch.
| 1808 [see carbonized]. 1875 Ure Dict. Arts III. 899 (Steel) The combination of the carbon with the iron..extends from one lamina to another until the whole is carbonized. |
3. To cover with charcoal, lamp black, etc.
See carbonized.
4. To destroy vegetable impurities in (wool, etc.) by treatment with an acid and heat, which reduces the vegetable matter to carbon dust.
| 1892 Sci. Amer. 6 Feb. 84/3 Washing..follows, by which the chloride is removed and the residue of carbonized matter washed away. 1920 Glasgow Herald 6 July 7 Australian wool... There will be a considerable surplus of low and medium cross-breds and carbonising wool. 1964 Times Rev. Industry Mar. 45/1 Carbonising has become the almost universally recognised method of burr removal. |
Hence ˈcarbonizing vbl. n. and ppl. a.
| 1867 Morning Star 7 Aug. 5 The men employed in the carbonising departments in the gas factories. 1898 Westm. Gaz. 17 Feb. 8/3 The company..pays 3s. 6d. per ton of coal for carbonising wages. 1921 [see carbonizer]. 1955 Times 5 July 5/1 The carbonizing industries had been allocated 3,000,000 tons more than dispatches in the summer of last year. This should produce nearly 1,500,000 tons more coke. |