v. [f. VOLATILE a. + -IZE. Cf. F. volatiliser (1611), Sp. and Pg. -izar, It. -izzare.]
1. trans. To render volatile; to cause to evaporate or disperse in vapor.
1657. G. Starkey, Helmont’s Vind., To Rdr. Salt of Tartar volatilized, or made into a spiritual Elixir, with any essential oyle, is an absolute corrector of all vegetal poysons.
1672–3. Grew, Anat. Pl., Anat. Roots (1682), 89. The Air-Vessels, or rather, the Aery Ferment contained in them, volatilizing only a smaller portion of the Sap.
1755. Phil. Trans., XLIX. 341. Hence we see how necessary heat is, to volatilize the rancid oil.
1778. Pryce, Min. Cornub., 253. The Glass … is likely to detain any of the nobler Metals, which the arsenick might otherwise volatilize.
1807. T. Thomson, Chem. (ed. 3), II. 254. The acids belonging to the first order are crystallizable, and they may be volatilized by heat without undergoing decomposition.
1849. D. Campbell, Inorg. Chem., 221. When the protochloride of uranium is carefully heated, so as not to volatilize it,… this compound remains.
1874. trans. Lommel’s Light, 153. If a fragment of zinc be volatilised between the carbon poles a series of beautifully coloured striæ are seen.
b. fig. To render light, airy, unsubstantial, etc.
1664. Power, Exp. Philos., Concl. 184. The greatest part of Humanity is [so] lost in Earth … that nothing can volatilize them, and set their Reasons at Liberty.
1822–56. De Quincey, Confess. (1862), 198. Beyond a certain point it is sure to volatilise and to disperse the intellectual energies.
1856. Merivale, Rom. Emp., xli. (1865), V. 121. Propertius is deficient in that light touch and exquisitely polished taste which volatilize the sensuality and flattery of Horace.
1882. Farrar, Early Chr., I. 274. On the other hand [in Philo’s philosophy] angels are sometimes volatilised into ideas.
2. intr. To become volatile; to evaporate.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Volatilisation, To dispose the fix’d Salts of Plants to volatilise, the Process is to be begun by making them into a Sapa.
1796. Kirwan, Elem. Min. (ed. 2), II. 33. It does not give out its Acid in any heat, but rather volatilizes.
1822. Imison’s Sci. & Art, II. 125. It easily fuses and Volatilizes before the blow-pipe.
1842. E. A. Parnell, Chem. Anal. (1845), 21. The chlorine is expelled almost before the acid begins to volatilize.
1880. Mac Cormac, Antisept. Surg., 152. The solution must be renewed from time to time as the carbolic acid volatilises.
fig. 1892. Nation (N.Y.), 15 Dec., 454/2. To those who know pictures as very tangible things … it is puzzling to find them volatilizing before their eyes and evaporating into a haze of words.
Hence Volatilized, Volatilizing ppl. adjs. Also Volatilizer, an apparatus for volatilizing.
1727. Bailey (vol. II.), Volatilizing, making volatile.
c. 1789. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), IV. 513/1. To bring vinegar therefore nearer the state of tartar, we must deprive it of its fine volatilizing phlogiston.
1825. J. Nicholson, Operat. Mechanic, 724. The volatilised mercury is again condensed.
1869. E. A. Parkes, Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3), 87. The volatilising turpentine may … carry into the air particles of plumbic carbonate.
1878. Abney, Photogr., 282. The spectrum of the volatilised metal falls on the sensitive plate.
1897. Kellogg, in Voice (N.Y.), 23 Dec., 5/2. The employment of medicinal vapors by means of a suitable volatilizer or vaporizer.
