the world > matter > chemistry > chemical reactions or processes > [adverb] > by means of named chemical reactions or processes > by means of miscellaneous other processes (4)
Applied to the behaviour of material substances, to indicate rapidity of absorption or combination. (Cf. greedy, adj. 1b.)
spec. By natural chemical or physical change or development.
By a process involving mercury. Obsolete.
Chemistry. By means of or by a process involving reduction (reduction, n. 11c).