cholinesterase

American  

[koh-luh-nes-tuh-reys, -reyz, 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.

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cholinesterase British  

/ ˌkɒl-, ˌkəʊlɪˈnɛstəˌreɪs /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of cholinesterase

First recorded in 1930–35; choline + esterase

Example Sentences

Navalny did not display “a clinical pattern characteristic of a poisoning by cholinesterase inhibitors,” he added.

From Washington Post • Aug. 25, 2020

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

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

From BBC • Sep. 20, 2019

The balance is very delicate indeed, and government veterinarians have found that repeated small doses can gradually deplete an animal’s supply of cholinesterase, so that without warning a minute additional dose will cause poisoning.

From The New Yorker • Jan. 3, 2017

A protective enzyme called cholinesterase is at hand to destroy the transmitting chemical once it is no longer needed.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson