Langimage
English

antienzyme

|an-ti-en-zyme|

C2

/ˌæn.tiˈɛn.zaɪm/

against an enzyme

Etymology
Etymology Information

'antienzyme' is formed in Modern English from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against') combined with 'enzyme' (from New Latin/Modern Greek 'enzymon').

Historical Evolution

'enzyme' derives from Greek 'enzymon' (literally 'in leaven'), passed into New Latin and then into English as 'enzyme'; the element 'anti-' comes from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against', and the compound 'antienzyme' is a modern English formation combining these elements.

Meaning Changes

Literally it means 'against an enzyme'; in modern usage it refers specifically to either an antibody against an enzyme or a substance that inhibits enzyme activity.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

an antibody directed against an enzyme (i.e., an immune protein that binds to a specific enzyme).

The lab reported the presence of antienzymes in the patient's serum.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Noun 2

a substance (chemical or biological) that inhibits the activity of an enzyme; an enzyme inhibitor.

Certain drugs act as antienzymes by blocking the enzyme's active site.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/08/31 15:13