I. pəˈräkˌsīd noun
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary per- + oxide
1. : an oxide containing a relatively high proportion of oxygen — not used systematically
2.
a. : a compound (as sodium peroxide or benzoyl peroxide) characterized by the bivalent group or anion -O-O- consisting of two oxygen atoms united to each other and yielding a solution of hydrogen peroxide when treated with acid — compare superoxide
b. : hydrogen peroxide
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to treat with a peroxide ; especially : to bleach (hair) with hydrogen peroxide