Zymogen
(Zym"o*gen) n. [Zyme + - gen.] (Physiol. Chem.) A mother substance, or antecedent, of an
enzyme or chemical ferment; — applied to such substances as, not being themselves actual ferments,
may by internal changes give rise to a ferment.
The pancreas contains but little ready-made ferment, though there is present in it a body, zymogen,
which gives birth to the ferment.
Foster. Zymogene
(Zym"o*gene) n. [Zyme + root of Gr. to be born.] (Biol.) One of a physiological group of
globular bacteria which produces fermentations of diverse nature; — distinguished from pathogene.
Zymogenic
(Zym`o*gen"ic) a. (Biol.) (a) Pertaining to, or formed by, a zymogene. (b) Capable of
producing a definite zymogen or ferment.
Zymogenic organism (Biol.),
a microörganism, such as the yeast plant of the Bacterium lactis, which
sets up certain fermentative processes by which definite chemical products are formed; — distinguished
from a pathogenic organism. Cf. Micrococcus.
Zymologic
(Zy`mo*log"ic Zy`mo*log"ic*al) a. [Cf. F. zymologique.] Of or pertaining to zymology.
Zymologist
(Zy*mol"o*gist) n. One who is skilled in zymology, or in the fermentation of liquors.
Zymology
(Zy*mol"o*gy) n. [Zyme + - logy: cf. F. zymologie.] A treatise on the fermentation of liquors,
or the doctrine of fermentation. [Written also zumology.]
Zymome
(Zy"mome) n. [Gr. a fermented mixture.] (Old Chem.) A glutinous substance, insoluble in
alcohol, resembling legumin; — now called vegetable fibrin, vegetable albumin, or gluten casein.
Zymometer
(Zy*mom"e*ter Zy`mo*sim"e*ter) n. [Gr. ferment, or fermentation + - meter: cf. F. zymosimètre.]
An instrument for ascertaining the degree of fermentation occasioned by the mixture of different liquids,
and the degree of heat which they acquire in fermentation.
Zymophyte
(Zym"o*phyte) n. [Zyme + Gr. fyto`n a plant.] (Physiol. Chem.) A bacteroid ferment.
Zymose
(Zy*mose") n. (Chem.) Invertin.
Zymosis
(||Zy*mo"sis), n. [NL., fr. Gr. fermentation, fr. ferment.] (Med.) (a) A fermentation; hence, an
analogous process by which an infectious disease is believed to be developed. (b) A zymotic disease.
[R.]
Zymotic
(Zy*mot"ic) a. [Gr. causing to ferment, fr. to ferment, ferment, leaven.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or caused by, fermentation.
2. (Med.) Designating, or pertaining to, a certain class of diseases. See Zymotic disease, below.
Zymotic disease (Med.),
any epidemic, endemic, contagious, or sporadic affection which is produced
by some morbific principle or organism acting on the system like a ferment.
Zythem
(Zy"them) n. See Zythum.
Zythepsary
(Zy*thep"sa*ry) n. [Gr. a kind of beer + to boil.] A brewery. [R.]
Zythum
(||Zy"thum) n. [L., fr. Gr. a kind of beer; — so called by the Egyptians.] A kind of ancient malt
beverage; a liquor made from malt and wheat. [Written also zythem.]