-ase

1.
a suffix used in the names of enzymes:
oxidase.
Origin
extracted from diastase
British Dictionary definitions for -ase

-ase

suffix
1.
indicating an enzyme: oxidase
Word Origin
abstracted from diastase
Word Origin and History for -ase

word-forming element used in naming enzymes, from ending of diastase.

-ase in Medicine

-ase suff.
Enzyme: amylase.

-ase in Science
-ase  
A suffix used to form the names of enzymes. It is often added to the name of the compound that the enzyme breaks down, as in lactase, which breaks down lactose. It is also added to a word describing the enzyme's activity, as in transferase, which catalyzes the transfer of a chemical group from one molecule to another, or reductase, which catalyzes the reduction of an organic compound.