catalysis

[ kuh-tal-uh-sis ]

noun

, plural ca·tal·y·ses [k, uh, -, tal, -, uh, -seez].

1. Chemistry. the causing or accelerating of a chemical change by the addition of a catalyst.
2. an action between two or more persons or forces, initiated by an agent that itself remains unaffected by the action:

   social catalyses occasioned by controversial writings.

catalysis

/ kəˈtælɪsɪs /

noun

1. acceleration of a chemical reaction by the action of a catalyst

Other Words From

• cat·a·lyt·ic [kat-l-, it, -ik], adjective noun
• cata·lyti·cal adjective
• cata·lyti·cal·ly adverb
• anti·cata·lytic adjective noun
• anti·cata·lyti·cal·ly adverb
• noncat·a·lytic adjective noun
• noncat·a·lyti·cal·ly adverb
• self-ca·taly·sis noun
• semi·cata·lytic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of catalysis¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from New Latin, from Greek katálȳsis “dissolution,” equivalent to katalȳ́ein “to dissolve” ( kata- cata- + lȳ́ein “to loosen”) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of catalysis¹

C17: from New Latin, from Greek katalusis, from kataluein to dissolve

Example Sentences

We could regard what is called catalysis solely as an agent in the service of entelechy.

From Project Gutenberg

He demonstrated the processes of synthesis and auto-catalysis that enabled such small samples to be multiplied indefinitely.

From Project Gutenberg

The phenomenon known as "catalysis" is of common occurrence in both inorganic and organic chemistry.

From Project Gutenberg

This latter consideration seems to be the factor of largest influence in colloidal catalysis.

From Project Gutenberg

Like circulation or respiration, periodic catalysis has its poisons, and exhibits signs of fatigue, and of paralysis by cold.

From Project Gutenberg