phosphatase

[ fos-fuh-teys, -teyz ]
/ ˈfɒs fəˌteɪs, -ˌteɪz /

noun Biochemistry.

any of several classes of esterases of varying specificity that catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphoric esters.

Origin of phosphatase

First recorded in 1910–15; phosphate + -ase

Words nearby phosphatase

phosgene, phosgenite, phosph-, phosphagen, phosphamidon, phosphatase, phosphate, phosphate diabetes, phosphate group, phosphate rock, phosphatemia

British Dictionary definitions for phosphatase

phosphatase
/ (ˈfɒsfəˌteɪs, -ˌteɪz) /

noun

any of a group of enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of organic phosphates

Medical definitions for phosphatase

phosphatase
[ fŏs′fə-tās′, -tāz′ ]

n.

Any of numerous enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of esters of phosphoric acid and are important in the absorption and metabolism of carbohydrates, nucleotides, and phospholipids and in the calcification of bone.