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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The pancreas contains but little ready-made ferment, though there is present in it a body, zymogen, which gives birth to the ferment. Foster. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Zyme + root of Gr. &unr_; to be born. ] (Biol.) One of a physiological group of globular bacteria which produces fermentations of diverse nature; -- distinguished from pathogene. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Biol.) (a) Pertaining to, or formed by, a zymogene. (b) Capable of producing a definite zymogen or ferment. [ 1913 Webster ]

Zymogenic organism (Biol.), a microorganism, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]