acetylcholinesterase

[ uh-seet-l-koh-luh-nes-tuh-reys, -reyz, uh-set-, as-i-tl- ]

nounBiochemistry.
  1. an enzyme that hydrolyzes the neurotransmitter acetylcholine: its action is blocked by nerve gases and certain drugs.

Origin of acetylcholinesterase

1
First recorded in 1945–50; acetylcholine + esterase

Words Nearby acetylcholinesterase

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British Dictionary definitions for acetylcholinesterase

acetylcholinesterase

/ (əˈsiːtaɪlˌkəʊliːnˈɛstərˌeɪz, ˈæsɪtaɪl-) /


noun
  1. an enzyme in nerve cells that is responsible for the destruction of acetylcholine and thus for switching off excitation of the nerve

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