ˈkad. ə lˌās noun
( -s )
Etymology: catal ysis + -ase
: a red crystalline enzyme widely distributed in plant and animal cells (as red blood cells) and consisting of a protein complex with hematin groups that catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen and the oxidation by hydrogen peroxide of alcohols to aldehydes and is held to function in tissues as an oxidative catalyst — compare peroxidase
• cat·a·lat·ic | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|ad.ik adjective