autolyze

verb

au·​to·​lyze ˈȯ-tō-ˌlīz How to pronounce autolyze (audio)
autolyzed; autolyzing

transitive verb

: to subject to autolysis

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from autolysis, on the model of analysis : analyze

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of autolyze was in 1901

Dictionary Entries Near autolyze

Cite this Entry

“Autolyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autolyze. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

autolyze

verb
au·​to·​lyze
variants or British autolyse
autolyzed or British autolysed; autolyzing or British autolysing

transitive verb

: to subject to autolysis
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!