The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Hydrolase \Hy"dro*lase\, n. [Hydrolysis + -ase.]
1. (Chem.) an enzyme which causes the splitting of a chemical
bond with the addition of the elements of water; a
hydrolytic enzyme. Formerly called a hydrolytic ferment.
Note: There are many known hydrolases, including nearly all
of the digestive enzymes. Among the hydrolases are the
esterases, which split ester bonds and amidases,
which split amide bonds, and among the latter are the
proteases and peptidases, which split peptide
bonds, such as those found in proteins.
[PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Hydrolytic \Hy`dro*lyt"ic\, a. [Hydro-, 1 + Gr. ? to loose.]
1. (Chem.) Tending to remove or separate water; eliminating
water. [archaic]
[1913 Webster]
2. (Chem.) of, pertaining to, or accompanied by hydrolysis.
[PJC]
Hydrolytic agents, such as sulphuric acid or caustic
alkali. --Encyc. Brit.
[1913 Webster]
Hydrolytic ferment (Physiol. Chem.), an enzyme (formerly
referred to as a ferment), which acts only in the presence
of water, and which causes the substance acted upon to
take up a molecule of water, resulting in the splitting of
a chemical bond and often splitting one compound into two.
Thus, diastase of malt, ptyalin of saliva, and boiling
dilute sulphuric acid all convert starch by hydration into
dextrin and sugar. Nearly all of the digestive enzymes are
hydrolytic in their action. Since 1910 such an enzyme is
usually referred to as a hydrolase or hydrolytic
enzyme.
[1913 Webster +PJC]