autolysis

noun au·tol·y·sis \-lə-səs\

Definition of AUTOLYSIS

: breakdown of all or part of a cell or tissue by self-produced enzymes

— au·to·lyt·ic \ˌȯ-tə-ˈli-tik\ adjective

New Latin

First Known Use: 1900

Medical Dictionary

noun au·tol·y·sis \-ə-səs\

plural au·tol·y·ses \-ə-ˌsēz\

: breakdown of all or part of a cell or tissue by self-produced enzymes—called also self-digestion

—au·to·lyt·ic \ˌȯt-^əl-ˈit-ik\ adjective

Next Word in the Dictionary: AutolytusPrevious Word in the Dictionary: autolyseAll Words Near: autolysis

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