synthetase

noun syn·the·tase \ ˈsin-thə-ˌtās , -ˌtāz \

Definition of synthetase

: an enzyme that catalyzes the linking together of two molecules usually using the energy derived from the concurrent splitting off of a pyrophosphate group from a triphosphate (such as ATP) — called also ligase

Origin and Etymology of synthetase

synthetic + -ase

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1947

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

synthetase

noun syn·the·tase \ ˈsin-thə-ˌtās, -ˌtāz \

medical Definition of synthetase

: an enzyme that catalyzes the linking together of two molecules especially by using the energy derived from the concurrent splitting off of a pyrophosphate group from a triphosphate (as ATP) — called also ligase