lipase

[ lahy-peys, lip-eys ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any of a class of enzymes that break down fats, produced by the liver, pancreas, and other digestive organs or by certain plants.

lipase

/ ˈlaɪpeɪs; ˈlɪpeɪs /

noun

1. any of a group of fat-digesting enzymes produced in the stomach, pancreas, and liver and also occurring widely in the seeds of plants

lipase

/ lĭp′ās′,lī′pās′ /

1. Any of various enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of fats, especially triglycerides and phospholipids, into glycerol and fatty acids.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lipase¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; lip- + -ase

Word History and Origins

Origin of lipase¹

C19: from Greek lipos fat + -ase