Definition

1. Verb:
   • To combine with or supply with oxygen: To introduce oxygen into a substance, causing it to combine chemically or become saturated with oxygen.
   • To dehydrogenate by using oxygen: To remove hydrogen from a compound by treating it with oxygen.
   • To increase the proportion of the electronegative part or the positive valence: In chemistry, to change a compound or element by increasing its oxidation state, effectively removing electrons.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The machine is used to oxygenise the water in the aquarium.
  • In this reaction, the catalyst helps to oxygenise the hydrocarbon.
  • The goal of the process is to oxygenise the metal ion from a +2 to a +3 state.

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Chemical Context: The term is primarily used in scientific and industrial contexts, such as biochemistry, metallurgy, and environmental engineering, to describe processes involving the addition of oxygen or an increase in oxidation state.
  • Researchers aim to oxygenise the wastewater to break down pollutants.

Variants and Related Words

• Oxygenate (verb): A more common synonym meaning to supply, treat, or mix with oxygen.
  • Oxygenate the patient's blood.
• Oxygenize (verb): An alternative spelling of 'oxygenise'.
• Oxidize (verb): To combine with oxygen; often used more broadly for reactions involving the loss of electrons. 'Oxygenise' can be a more specific subset of oxidation.
  • Iron will oxidize and form rust.

Synonyms

• Aerate: To expose to air or cause to circulate.
• Oxidize: To combine with oxygen or undergo a reaction involving the loss of electrons.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form standard phrasal verbs. Its usage is typically direct or in technical compound terms.)

Related Idioms

(This technical term is not typically used in idiomatic expressions.)

Verb

1. impregnate, combine, or supply with oxygen
   • oxygenate blood
2. dehydrogenate with oxygen
3. change (a compound) by increasing the proportion of the electronegative part; or change (an element or ion) from a lower to a higher positive valence: remove one or more electrons from (an atom, ion, or molecule)