-lytic

-lytic

suff.

Of, relating to, or causing a specified kind of decomposition: cellulolytic.

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[From Greek lutikos, able to loosen, from lūein, to loosen; see leu- in Indo-European roots.]

-lytic

adj combining form

indicating a loosening or dissolving: paralytic.

[from Greek, from lusis; see -lysis]

lyt•ic

(ˈlɪt ɪk)

adj.

of, noting, or pertaining to lysis or a lysin.

[1885–90; < Greek lytikós able to be loosened =lyt(ós) soluble, v. adj. of lyein to loose, dissolve + -ic]

-lytic

a combining form meaning “breaking down,” “opposing the effects of,” occurring esp. in adjectives that correspond to nouns ending in -lysis: cytolytic; hydrolytic.

[see lytic]