autolysis Hear it!

autolysis definition

au·toly·sis (ô täl′ə sis)

noun

the destruction of cells or tissues by their own enzymes, as after death or in some diseases

Etymology: auto- + -lysis

Related Forms:

  • autolytic au′to·lyt′ic (ôt′ə lit′ik) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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