a. Capable of being oxidized. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The process of oxidizing; the addition of oxygen to a compound with a loss of electrons. The process always occurs accompanied by reduction.
Syn. -- oxidation, oxidisation. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Oxidized p. pr. & vb. n. Oxidizing. ] (Chem.) To combine with oxygen, or subject to the action of oxygen, or of an oxidizing agent. Specifically: (a) To combine with oxygen or with more oxygen; to add oxygen to; as, to oxidize nitrous acid so as to form nitric acid. (b) To remove hydrogen from (anything), as by the action of oxygen; as, to oxidize alcohol so as to form aldehyde. (c) To subject to the action of oxygen or of an oxidizing agent, so as to bring to a higher grade, as an -ous compound to an -ic compound; as, to oxidize mercurous chloride to mercuric chloride. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In certain cases to oxidize is identical with to acidify; for, in nearly all cases, the more oxygen a substance contains the more nearly does it approximate to acid qualities; thus, by oxidation many elements, as sulphur, nitrogen, carbon, chromium, manganese, etc., pass into compounds which are acid anhydrides, and thus practically in the acid state. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. combined with or having undergone a chemical reaction with oxygen; as, the oxidized form of iodine.
Syn. -- oxidised. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. Oxidation. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) An agent employed in oxidation, or which facilitates or brings about combination with oxygen; as, nitric acid, chlorine, bromine, etc., are strong oxidizers. [ 1913 Webster ]