enzyme-specific
|en-zyme-spe-cif-ic|
/ˌɛnzaɪm spəˈsɪfɪk/
specific to an enzyme
Etymology
'enzyme-specific' originates from Modern English, combining the noun 'enzyme' and the adjective 'specific'. 'Enzyme' ultimately comes from Greek 'enzymon' (from 'en-' meaning 'in' and 'zyme' meaning 'leaven' or 'ferment'), and 'specific' comes from Latin 'specificus' (from 'species' meaning 'appearance, kind').
'Enzyme' entered scientific English in the late 19th century from New Latin/Greek (Greek 'enzymon'), while 'specific' came into English via Latin 'specificus' and Old French; the compound adjective 'enzyme-specific' developed in Modern English usage as scientific terminology combining the two elements to describe specificity related to enzymes.
The original roots referred to 'in + leaven' (for enzyme) and 'kind/appearance' (for specific); over time, the compound evolved to mean 'relating to or affecting only a particular enzyme' in biochemical contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the property of being specific to an enzyme (noun form: 'enzyme specificity').
Researchers studied the enzyme specificity of the compound to understand its selective activity.
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Adjective 1
relating to, characteristic of, or affecting only a particular enzyme (i.e., specific to that enzyme).
The inhibitor is enzyme-specific and blocks only acetylcholinesterase, leaving other enzymes unaffected.
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Last updated: 2025/10/27 02:49