(n)a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances; especially, the anaerobic breakdown of sugar into alcohol, Syn.zymolysis, ferment, fermentation, fermenting
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
‖n. [ NL. See Zyme, and Lysis. ] (Physiol. Chem.) The action of enzymes, such as digestion or fermentation; also, the changes produced by such action. -- Zy`mo*lyt"ic a. [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]