n. 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. [German Enzym, from Medieval Greek enzūmos, leavened : Greek en-, in; see EN-2 + Greek zūmē, leaven, yeast.] en′zy·matic (-zə-mătĭk), en·zymic (-zīmĭk, -zĭmĭk) adj. en′zy·mati·cal·ly, en·zymi·cal·ly adv. |
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