catalyse

4 definitions found

catalyse - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Catalyse \Cat"a*lyse`\ (k[a^]t"[.a]*l[imac]z), v. t. [ML., fr.
     Gr. ? dissolution, fr. ? to destroy, dissolve; kata` down,
     wholly + ? to loose.]
     same as catalyze.
     [PJC]

  Catalysis \Ca*tal"y*sis\, n.; pl. Catalyse.[ML., fr. Gr. ?
     dissolution, fr. ? to destroy, dissolve; kata` down, wholly +
     ? to loose.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. Dissolution; degeneration; decay. [R.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Sad catalysis and declension of piety. --Evelyn.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Chem.)
        (a) A process by which a chemical reaction is accelerated
            in the presence of certain agents which were formerly
            believed to exert an influence by mere contact. It is
            now believed that such reactions are attended with the
            formation of an intermediate compound or compounds, so
            that by alternate composition and decomposition the
            agent is apparenty left unchanged; as, the catalysis
            of making ether from alcohol by means of sulphuric
            acid; or catalysis in the action of enzymes (as
            diastase, or ptyalin) on starch.
        (b) The catalytic force.
            [1913 Webster +PJC]

  catalyze \catalyze\ v. t.
     1. 1 (chemistry) to cause (a chemical reaction) to proceed
        more quickly by contacting the reactant(s) with another
        substance; as, moisture catalyzes the oxidation of iron in
        air. [Also spelled catalyse.]
  
     Syn: change by catalysis, cause to catalyze.
          [WordNet 1.5]

catalyse - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  catalyse
      v 1: change by catalysis or cause to catalyze [syn: catalyze,
           catalyse]