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cellulolytic

American  
[sel-yuh-loh-lit-ik] / ˌsɛl yə loʊˈlɪt ɪk /

adjective

Biochemistry.

  1. (of bacteria or enzymes) capable of hydrolyzing cellulose.

Etymology

Origin of cellulolytic

First recorded in 1940–45; cellul(ose) + -o- + -lytic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

We found that the hamadryas baboon has more so-called cellulolytic microbes—which break down plant cell walls—than the olive baboon does, in keeping with its higher-fiber diet.

From Scientific American • Nov. 17, 2021

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.