Any of numerous enzymes that hydrolyze proteins and are classified according to the most prominent functional group (as serine or cysteine) at the active site — called also proteinase
General term for a digestive enzyme capable of splitting proteins. Examples include pepsin, found in the stomach, and trypsin, found in the small intestine.
Any enzyme that catalyzes the splitting of proteins into smaller peptide fractions and amino acids by a process known as proteolysis; SYN. peptidase, proteinase, proteolytic enzyme.