n.
Pronunciation: k ə - ' ta-b ə - ˌ li-z ə m
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek katabol ē throwing down, from kataballein to throw down, from kata- + ballein to throw ― more at DEVIL
Date: 1876
: degradative metabolism involving the release of energy and resulting in the breakdown of complex materials (as proteins or lipids) within the organism ― compare ANABOLISM
– cat · a · bol · ic \ ˌ ka-t ə - ' bä-lik \ adjective
– cat · a · bol · i · cal · ly \ -li-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb