Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

cholinesterase

American  
[koh-luh-nes-tuh-rays, -rayz, kol-uh-] / ˌkoʊ ləˈnɛs təˌreɪs, -ˌreɪz, ˌkɒl ə- /

noun

Biochemistry.
  1. an enzyme, found especially in the heart, brain, and blood, that hydrolyzes acetylcholine to acetic acid and choline.


cholinesterase British  
/ ˌkəʊlɪˈnɛstəˌreɪs, ˌkɒl- /

noun

  1. an enzyme that hydrolyses acetylcholine to choline and acetic acid

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of cholinesterase

First recorded in 1930–35; choline + esterase


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The cholinesterase inhibitors found in Navalny’s system reportedly block the breakdown of acetycholine, a vital chemical that transmits signals between nerve cells.

From Fox News ● Aug. 25, 2020

Atropine is the most common treatment for poisoning by a cholinesterase inhibitor.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 24, 2020

Specifically, the results were "highly suggestive" of something called cholinesterase inhibitor intoxication.

From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2019

Repeated exposure may lower the cholinesterase level until an individual reaches the brink of acute poisoning—a brink over which he may be pushed by a very small additional exposure.

From The New Yorker ● Jan. 3, 2017

The power of the organic phosphates, those poisoners of the nerve-protective enzyme cholinesterase, may become greater if the body has first been exposed to a chlorinated hydrocarbon which injures the liver.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training