autolyzes
|au-to-ly-zes|
/ˈɔːtəˌlaɪzɪz/
(autolyze)
self-digest / self-break down
Etymology
'autolyze' originates from New Latin/Modern Greek, specifically the word 'autolysis', where 'auto-' meant 'self' and 'lysis' meant 'loosening' or 'dissolution'.
'autolyze' changed from the New Latin noun 'autolysis' (Greek 'autolysis' composed of 'autos' + 'lysis') and the English verb-forming suffix '-ize', and eventually became the modern English verb 'autolyze' in the 19th century.
Initially it referred to the noun 'autolysis' (the process of self-digestion); over time it evolved into the verb 'autolyze' meaning 'to undergo or cause autolysis'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
third-person singular present form of 'autolyze' (to undergo or cause autolysis; to self-digest by one's own enzymes).
When left at room temperature, the tissue autolyzes rapidly.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/26 14:34