n. An enzyme found in living cells that catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, a potentially harmful oxidizing agent, into water and oxygen. [CATAL(YSIS) + –ASE.] cat′a·latic (kăt′l-ătĭk) adj. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.