catalysis

[ kuh-tal-uh-sis ]
/ kəˈtæl ə sɪs /

noun, plural ca·tal·y·ses [kuh-tal-uh-seez] /kəˈtæl əˌsiz/.

Chemistry. the causing or accelerating of a chemical change by the addition of a catalyst.
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 of catalysis

1645–55; < New Latin < Greek katálȳsis dissolution, equivalent to katalȳ́(ein) to dissolve ( kata- cata- + lȳ́ein to loosen) + -sis -sis

OTHER WORDS FROM catalysis

Words nearby catalysis

catalonia, catalonian, catalpa, catalufa, catalyse, catalysis, catalyst, catalytic, catalytic converter, catalytic cracker, catalytic cracking

Example sentences from the Web for catalytic

British Dictionary definitions for catalytic (1 of 2)

catalytic
/ (ˌkætəˈlɪtɪk) /

adjective

of or relating to catalysis; involving a catalyst

Derived forms of catalytic

catalytically, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for catalytic (2 of 2)

catalysis
/ (kəˈtælɪsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)

acceleration of a chemical reaction by the action of a catalyst

Word Origin for catalysis

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

Medical definitions for catalytic

catalysis
[ kə-tăl′ĭ-sĭs ]

n. pl. ca•tal•y•ses (-sēz′)

The action of a catalyst, especially an increase in the rate of a chemical reaction.

Scientific definitions for catalytic

catalyst
[ kăt′l-ĭst ]

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.

Other words from catalyst

catalytic adjective (kăt′l-ĭt′ĭk)