autocatalysis

[ aw-toh-kuh-tal-uh-sis ]

noun

, Chemistry, Biochemistry.

, plural au·to·ca·tal·y·ses [aw-toh-k, uh, -, tal, -, uh, -seez].

1. catalysis caused by a catalytic agent formed during a reaction.

autocatalysis

/ ˌɔːtəʊkəˈtælɪsɪs /

noun

1. the catalysis of a reaction in which the catalyst is one of the products of the reaction

Other Words From

• au·to·cat·a·lyt·ic [aw-toh-kat-l-, it, -ik], adjective
• auto·cata·lyti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of autocatalysis¹

First recorded in 1890–95; auto- ¹ + catalysis

Example Sentences

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

From Project Gutenberg