catalysis

[kuh-tal-uh-sis] /kəˈtæl ə sɪs/
noun, plural catalyses
[kuh-tal-uh-seez] /kəˈtæl əˌsiz/ (Show IPA)
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
catalytic
[kat-l-it-ik] /ˌkæt lˈɪt ɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective, noun
catalytical, adjective
catalytically, adverb
anticatalytic, adjective, noun
anticatalytically, adverb
noncatalytic, adjective, noun
noncatalytically, adverb
self-catalysis, noun
semicatalytic, adjective
Examples from the web for catalytic
  • The catalytic converter on your exhaust system contains cerium and lanthanum.
  • The work paved the way for technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells and automobile catalytic converters.
  • The modern fuel injection system works with a three-way catalytic converter to cut pollution.
  • Rare earths are used in automotive catalytic converters and for refining petroleum products.
  • Platinum is also an element in catalytic converters.
  • The potential has to be there or the catalytic effect doesn't happen.
  • Once they had had their catalytic effect, they would have split back off again and gone their own ways.
  • And its catalytic converter largely eliminates smog-forming nitrogen oxides.
  • Nor do they cut catalytic converters from cars parked on the street for easy money.
  • The catalytic oxidation process can also work against water-borne pathogens.
British Dictionary definitions for catalytic

catalytic

/ˌkætəˈlɪtɪk/
adjective
1.
of or relating to catalysis; involving a catalyst
Derived Forms
catalytically, adverb

catalysis

/kəˈtælɪsɪs/
noun (pl) -ses (-ˌsiːz)
1.
acceleration of a chemical reaction by the action of a catalyst
Word Origin
C17: from New Latin, from Greek katalusis, from kataluein to dissolve
Word Origin and History for catalytic
adj.

1836, from Latinized form of Greek katalytikos "able to dissolve," from katalyein (see catalysis).

catalysis

n.

1650s, "dissolution," from Latinized form of Greek katalysis "dissolution, a dissolving" (of governments, military units, etc.), from katalyein "to dissolve," from kata- "down" (or "completely"), see cata-, + lyein "to loosen" (see lose). Chemical sense "change caused by an agent which itself remains unchanged" is attested from 1836, introduced by Swedish chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius (1779-1848).

catalytic in Medicine

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.

catalytic in Science
catalyst
  (kāt'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.

catalytic adjective (kāt'l-ĭt'ĭk)