ˌn(y)u̇rəˈminəˌdās, -āz noun
( -s )
Etymology: neuramin ic acid + -idase (as in glucosidase )
: a hydrolytic enzyme that occurs on the surface of the pneumococcus, influenza-causing viruses, and some paramyxoviruses, and that cleaves terminal acetylated neuraminic acids from sugar residues (as in glycoproteins and mucoproteins)