(n)large family of Australian and South African shrubs and trees with leathery leaves and clustered mostly tetramerous flowers; constitutes the order Proteales, Syn.family Proteaceae, protea family
(n)any enzyme that catalyzes the splitting of proteins into smaller peptide fractions and amino acids by a process known as proteolysis, Syn.proteolytic enzyme, peptidase, proteinase
(n)an antiviral drug used against HIV; interrupts HIV replication by binding and blocking HIV protease; often used in combination with other drugs, Syn.PI
a. [ From Proteus. ] (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the Proteaceæ, an order of apetalous evergreen shrubs, mostly natives of the Cape of Good Hope or of Australia. [ 1913 Webster ]