[kuh-tal-uh-sis] 
[-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. |
| cat·a·lyt·ic (kāt'l-ĭt'ĭk) adj. Of, involving, or acting as a catalyst: "Deregulation's catalytic power . . . is still reshaping the banking, communications, and transportation industries" (Ellyn E. Spragins). [Greek katalutikos, able to dissolve, from katalusis, dissolution; see catalysis.] cat'a·lyt'i·cal·ly adv. |
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.
| 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) |
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