betagalactosidase

[ bey-tuh-guh-lak-tuh-sahy-deys, -deyzor, especially British, bee- ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any of a family of enzymes capable of liberating galactose from carbohydrates.

Word History and Origins

Origin of betagalactosidase¹

beta + galactoside a glycoside in which the sugar is galactose (< French; galactose, -ide ( def ) ) + -ase