vulcanize

• POS: Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: vul=can=ize

CIDE DICTIONARY

vulcanize, v. t. 

 To change the properties of, as caoutchouc, or India rubber, by the process of vulcanization.  [1913 Webster]

Vulcanized fiber, paper, paper pulp, or other fiber, chemically treated, as with metallic chlorides, so as to form a substance resembling ebonite in texture, hardness, etc. Knight. -- Vulcanized rubber, India rubber, vulcanized.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

vulcanize, v.tr. (also -ise) treat (rubber or rubberlike material) with sulphur etc. esp. at a high temperature to increase its strength.

Derivative

vulcanizable adj. vulcanization n. vulcanizer n.

Etymology

Vulcan, Roman god of fire and metal-working

THESAURUS

vulcanize

blaze, blister, brand, burn, burn in, burn off, cast, cauterize, char, coal, crack, cupel, elasticize, flame, found, oxidate, oxidize, parch, pyrolyze, rubber, rubberize, scorch, sear, singe, solder, swinge, torrefy, vesicate, weld