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catalyze

[kat-l-ahyz]
verb (used with object), cat·a·lyzed, cat·a·lyz·ing.
  1. to act upon by catalysis.
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Also especially British, cat·a·lyse.

Origin of catalyze

First recorded in 1885–90; cataly(sis) + (-i)ze
Related formscat·a·lyz·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for catalyse

catalyse

US catalyze

verb
  1. (tr) to influence (a chemical reaction) by catalysis
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Derived Formscatalyser or US catalyzer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for catalyse

v.

variant spelling of catalyze (q.v.); for spelling, see -ize. Related: Catalysed; catalysing.

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catalyze

v.

1890, back-formation from catalysis on model of analyze/analysis. Related: Catalyzed; catalyzing. Probably influenced by French catalyser (1842).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
catalyse in Medicine

catalyze

(kăt′l-īz′)
v.
  1. To modify, especially to increase, the rate of a chemical reaction by catalysis.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
catalyse in Science

catalyze

[kăt′l-īz′]
  1. To modify, especially to increase, the rate of a chemical reaction through the action of a catalyst.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.