-ase

-ase

suff.

Enzyme: amylase.

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[From diastase.]

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-ase

A suffix used to form the names of enzymes. It is often added to the name of the compound that the enzyme breaks down, as in lactase, which breaks down lactose. It is also added to a word describing the enzyme's activity, as in transferase, which catalyzes the transfer of a chemical group from one molecule to another, or reductase, which catalyzes the reduction of an organic compound.