serpentinize

[ sur-puhn-tee-nahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, Mineralogy.

, ser·pen·tin·ized, ser·pen·tin·iz·ing.

1. to convert (a mineral or rock) into serpentine.

Other Words From

• serpen·tini·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of serpentinize¹

First recorded in 1785–95; serpentine ² + -ize