nitrificationn.
/ˌnʌɪtrᵻfᵻˈkeɪʃn/, U.S. /ˌnaɪtrəfəˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/ 1. † b. figurative. Obsolete. rare.With reference to the use of nitre as an ingredient of gunpowder; see nitre n. 2b.
a. Chemistry and Biology. The process of nitrifying; the production of, or conversion of a substance into, nitre or nitrates; spec. the process by which certain soil bacteria oxidize ammonia in decomposing material into nitrates.
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the world > matter > chemistry > chemical reactions or processes > [noun] > chemical reactions or processes (named) > nitrification
nitrification1797
nitration1876
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical substances > salts > [noun] > salts named by atomic number > nitrates or nitrites > process of forming
nitrification1797
nitrifying1839
nitrifaction1860
1797 tr. A.-F. de Fourcroy in Med. Repository 1 68 Nitrification was long a mystery to chemists, before they learnt how to seize upon, distinguish, and fix those fugitive and volatile substances, known at present by the name of elastic fluids, or gases.
1827 Philos. Mag. 2nd Ser. 1 177 Tufa, chalk and nitrifiable materials act in nitrification both as absorbents of water and air, and as presenting a base which solicits the formation of nitric acid.
1884 F. J. Lloyd Sci. Agric. 72 Nitrification causes the hydrogen to be taken away and its place supplied by oxygen.
1897 Bull. Minnesota Agric. Exper. Station No. 53. 7 The cultivation of the corn crop favors nitrification (production of nitrates from humus) and results in leaving more available nitrogen in the soil.
1926 A. G. Tansley & T. F. Chipp Aims & Methods Study Vegetation vii. 122 This process of nitrification..carried out by special bacteria, is of the first importance in humous soils.
1966 McGraw-Hill Encycl. Sci. & Technol. (rev. ed.) IX. 111/1 A well-aerated, fertile, neutral to slightly alkaline soil will provide optimum conditions for nitrification.
1990 A. Ehrlich in J. Leggett Global Warming xvi. 412 Both nitrification and denitrification are important parts of the global nitrogen cycle.
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1832 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 31 92 In this blaze of cordons, and perpetual glow of homage, what female heart, not absolutely stone, could resist a little nitrification?
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the world > matter > chemistry > chemical reactions or processes > [noun] > chemical reactions or processes (named) > miscellaneous other processes
redintegrationa1550
decoction1555
fixion1555
cementation1592
fumigation1617
spiritualization1651
retortion1657
rocking1673
phosphorizationa1687
concentration1689
humectation1706
animalization1733
hyperoxygenation1793
bituminization1804
assimilation1830
metamorphosis1843
transformation1857
retorting1858
tincturation1860
regeneration1869
nitrification1880
diagenesis1886
aluminothermy1900
aluminothermics1902
photoprocess1910
olation1931
mass transfer1937
reconcentration1956
tritiation1961
borohydride reduction1965
1880 Daily News 27 Mar. 5/4 Practically gun-cotton and nitro-glycerine are the same thing, except that in the one case it is a liquid and in the other a solid that has been subjected to the so-called process of nitrification.
1892 W. W. Greener Breech-loader 162 Nitro-explosives are..made from pulped wood which after nitrification [etc.].
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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