hydrolyze
|hy-dro-lyze|
C1
/ˈhaɪdrəˌlaɪz/
break down with water
Etymology
Etymology Information
'hydrolyze' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'hydrolysis,' where 'hydro-' meant 'water' and 'lysis' meant 'loosening or breaking down.'
Historical Evolution
'hydrolysis' transformed into the English word 'hydrolyze' to describe the process of breaking down compounds with water.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to break down with water,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to cause or undergo hydrolysis, a chemical process in which a compound is broken down by reaction with water.
The enzyme can hydrolyze the protein into smaller peptides.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/05/04 21:55