word-forming element used in naming enzymes, from ending of diastase.
Entries linking to -ase
diastase n.
enzyme or group of enzymes found in a seed and capable of converting starch into sugar, 1838, from French, coined 1833 by Payen and Persoz, from Greek diastasis "a setting apart," from dia- "across" (see dia-) + stasis "a standing," from PIE root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm." Related: Diastatic.
amylase n.
enzyme which brings about the hydrolysis of starch, 1885, from amyl + chemical suffix -ase.