beta–lactamase

noun be·ta–lac·ta·mase \ˈbā-tə-ˈlak-tə-ˌmās, -ˌmāz\

Definition of BETA-LACTAMASE

: an enzyme found especially in staphylococcal bacteria that inactivates the penicillins by hydrolyzing them

lactam, a cyclic amide (from International Scientific Vocabulary lact- + amide) + -ase

First Known Use: 1965

Medical Dictionary

noun be·ta–lac·ta·mase

: an enzyme found especially in staphylococcal bacteria that inactivates penicillins by hydrolyzing them—called also penicillinase

be·ta–lac·ta·mase or β–lactamase \-ˈlak-tə-ˌmās, -ˌmāz\

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