n. & v.
--n. Chem.
1. a hydrogen peroxide. b (often attrib.) a solution of hydrogen peroxide used to bleach the hair or as an antiseptic.
2 a compound of oxygen with another element containing the greatest possible proportion of oxygen.
3 any salt or ester of hydrogen peroxide.
--v.tr. bleach (the hair) with peroxide.
Etymology: PER- + OXIDE