[ad. med. or mod.L. *vitrificātio, f. *vitrificāre to vitrify. Cf. F. vitrification (16th c.), Sp. vitrificacion, Pg. -ação, It. vit-, vetrificazione.]
1. The action or process of vitrifying; conversion into a glassy substance by fusion due to heat; the fact of being so converted.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 274. Vitrification is Combustion, converting Calk and Cineres into transparant glasse.
1643. Sir T. Browne, Relig. Med., I. § 50. The last and proper action of that element [fire] is but vitrification, or a reduction of a body into Glasse.
1661. Boyle, Scept. Chem., V. 322. Cuppels … ought to be Destitute of Salt, lest the Violence of the Fire should bring them to Vitrification.
1709. Phil. Trans., XXVI. 378. We may look on it as the beginning of Vitrification, or a middle state between Metal and Glass.
1773. Franklin, Lett., etc., Wks. 1840, V. 454. There is no earth known so vitrifiable as not to require some auxiliary solvent to facilitate its vitrification.
1804. P. F. Tingry, Paint. & Varnish. Guide, 301. This vitrification is facilitated by the addition of a certain quantity of carbonate of potash…, or carbonate of soda.
1851. D. Wilson, Preh. Ann., II. III. iii. 416. Sandstone, though per se infusible, is perfectly capable of vitrification.
1863. A. C. Ramsay, Phys. Geog., xxxv. (1878), 613. Stones originally separate, get, so to speak, glued together in the process of vitrification.
b. With a and pl.: An instance of such conversion.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 291. Likewise in their Putrefactions, or Rusts; as Vermilion, Verdegrease, Bise, Cirrus, &c. and likewise in their Vitrifications.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., II. i. 53. Crystall … is not onely triturable, and reduceable into powder, by contrition, but will subsist in a violent fire, and endure a vitrification.
1759. Delaval, in Phil. Trans., LI. 86. Because all vitrifications must proceed from previous calcinations.
2. The result or product of vitrifying; a vitrified substance or body.
1651. Biggs, New Disp., ¶ 136. We yet more detest the precipitations, vitrifications, and preparations of Mercury, Antimony, Tuty, Sulphur, &c.
1762–71. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), II. 235. Sir Theodore … communicated to them the process of the principal colours which ought to be employed in enamel, and which surpassed the famous vitrifications of Venice and Limoges.
1769. Phil. Trans., LX. 17. Both abound with pyrites and crystallizations, or rather vitrifications.
1845. Petrie, Eccl. Archit. Irel., 89. This is also observable in the interior of the building, where there is a slight superficial vitrification.
1860. Smiles, Self Help, ii. 41. He had but to cover this material with a vitrification of transparent glaze.
