catalysis

[kuh-tal-uh-sis]

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.

Nearby words

Origin of catalysis

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

Related forms

cat·a·lyt·ic

[kat-l-it-ik] /ˌkæt lˈɪt ɪk/, adjective, nouncat·a·lyt·i·cal, adjectivecat·a·lyt·i·cal·ly, adverban·ti·cat·a·lyt·ic, adjective, noun

an·ti·cat·a·lyt·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·cat·a·lyt·ic, adjective, nounnon·cat·a·lyt·i·cal·ly, adverbself-ca·tal·y·sis, nounsem·i·cat·a·lyt·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for catalysis

We should see the building of crystals, catalysis, and the movements of unstable compounds.
The Last Harvest|John Burroughs
"I think you can rely upon your powers of catalysis, Dorothy," he said.
The Vanity Girl|Compton Mackenzie
They've found the secret of catalysis, and can actually synthesize any catalytic agent they want.
Islands of Space|John W Campbell
We may look upon this process as a special kind of catalysis.
The Wonders of Life|Ernst Haeckel

The phenomenon known as "catalysis" is of common occurrence in both inorganic and organic chemistry.
The Chemistry of Plant Life|Roscoe Wilfred Thatcher

British Dictionary definitions for catalysis

catalysis

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

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 catalysis

catalysis

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).

Medicine definitions for catalysis

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.