ca·tal·y·sis

[kuh-tal-uh-sis]
noun, plural ca·tal·y·ses [kuh-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.
Origin:
1645–55; < Neo-Latin < Greek katálȳsis dissolution, equivalent to katalȳ́(ein) to dissolve (kata- cata- + lȳ́ein to loosen) + -sis -sis

Related forms
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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To catalytic
00:10
Catalytic is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Collins
World English Dictionary
catalysis (kəˈtælɪsɪs) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n , pl -ses
acceleration of a chemical reaction by the action of a catalyst
 
[C17: from New Latin, from Greek katalusis, from kataluein to dissolve]

catalytic (ˌkætəˈlɪtɪk) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—adj
of or relating to catalysis; involving a catalyst
 
cata'lytically
 
—adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

catalysis
1655, "dissolution," from Gk. katalysis "dissolution," from katalyein "to dissolve," from kata- "down" + lyein "to loosen" (see lose). Chemical sense is attested from 1836.

catalytic
from Gk. katalytikos "able to dissolve," from katalysis (see catalysis).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

catalysis ca·tal·y·sis (kə-tāl'ĭ-sĭs)
n. pl. ca·tal·y·ses (-sēz')
The action of a catalyst, especially an increase in the rate of a chemical reaction.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
catalyst   (kāt'l-ĭst)  Pronunciation Key 
A substance that starts or speeds up a chemical reaction while undergoing no permanent change itself. The enzymes in saliva, for example, are catalysts in digestion.

catalytic adjective (kāt'l-ĭt'ĭk)
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Once they had had their catalytic effect, they would have split back off again
  and gone their own ways.
Thefts of copper wire and catalytic converters have stretched the resources of
  local law enforcement agencies.
They created a catalytic surface to lower activation energy for a chemical
  reaction.
Rare earths are used in automotive catalytic converters and for refining
  petroleum products.
Partners:WordBloglinesCitysearchThe Daily BeastAsk AnswersAsk KidsLife123SendoriHome Advisor
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
About PRIVACY POLICY Terms API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Suggest a Word Help
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT