Enzyme Definition

ĕnzīm

enzymes

noun

Any of various proteins, formed in plant and animal cells or made synthetically, that act as organic catalysts in initiating or speeding up specific chemical reactions and that usually become inactive or unstable above c. 50°C (122°F)

Webster's New World

Any of numerous compounds that are produced by living organisms and function as biochemical catalysts. Some enzymes are simple proteins, and others consist of a protein linked to one or more nonprotein groups.

American Heritage

(biochemistry) A globular protein that catalyses a biological chemical reaction.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Enzyme

Noun

Singular:

enzyme

Plural:

enzymes

Origin of Enzyme

German Enzym from Medieval Greek enzūmos leavened Greek en- in en–² Greek zūmē leaven, yeast

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
German Enzym from Medieval Greek enzūmos leavened Greek en- in en–² Greek zūmē leaven, yeast

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From German Enzym, created in 1878, by the German physiologist Wilhelm Kühne from Ancient Greek ἐν (en, “in”) and ζύμη (zýmē, “sourdough”).

From Wiktionary