lipase

[ lahy-peys, lip-eys ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any of a class of enzymes that break down fats, produced by the liver, pancreas, and other digestive organs or by certain plants.

lipase

/ ˈlaɪpeɪs; ˈlɪpeɪs /

noun

1. any of a group of fat-digesting enzymes produced in the stomach, pancreas, and liver and also occurring widely in the seeds of plants

lipase

/ lĭp′ās′,lī′pās′ /

1. Any of various enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of fats, especially triglycerides and phospholipids, into glycerol and fatty acids.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lipase¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; lip- + -ase

Word History and Origins

Origin of lipase¹

C19: from Greek lipos fat + -ase

Example Sentences

Another important factor is hormone-sensitive lipase, an enzyme that releases fat from our fat cells.

From Washington Post

The vet will perform diagnostic blood tests, including a specific test for pancreatic enzymes called pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity or cPLI/fPLI.

From Salon

As of last year, according to Scientific American, the FDA had approved nine gene therapies, which for the most part target rare physiological disorders, such as adenosine deaminase deficiency and lipoprotein lipase deficiency.

From Scientific American

The drug inserted the gene for lipoprotein lipase into muscle cells.

From Scientific American

The drug inserted the gene for lipoprotein lipase into muscle cells.

From Nature