Definition of "cholinesterase" [cholinesterase]

• An enzyme found primarily at nerve endings that catalyzes the hydrolysis of acetylcholine into acetic acid and choline. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Fortunately, nerves contain an enzyme called cholinesterase (koh'lin-es'tur-ays) which brings about the breakup of acetylcholine to acetic acid and choline once more."
• "Tim Foley Alzheimer's disease is often treated by a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors, which help boost levels of a brain chemical called acetylcholine."
• "The suspect compounds, known as cholinesterase inhibitors, aren't normally toxic at low levels."