decarboxylate

[ dee-kahr-bok-suh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, Chemistry.

, de·car·box·yl·at·ed, de·car·box·yl·at·ing.

1. to remove the carboxyl group from (an organic compound).

Other Words From

• decar·boxyl·ation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decarboxylate¹

First recorded in 1920–25; de- + carboxylate

Example Sentences

Unless you decarboxylate them — that is, apply heat to remove the acid — THC will not be intoxicating.

From Salon

Lysine and ornithine have very similar molecular structures, and the authors found that Spe1, the enzyme that decarboxylates ornithine, can also decarboxylate lysine to generate cadaverine.

From Nature

If you have a kitchen stove, you can decarboxylate your weed just fine.

From Salon