catalysis

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: ca=tal=y=sis

CIDE DICTIONARY

catalysis, n. [ML., fr. Gr. dissolution, fr. to destroy, dissolve; kata` down, wholly + to loose.].

•  Dissolution; degeneration; decay.  [1913 Webster]

  "Sad catalysis and declension of piety."  [1913 Webster]
•  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.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

catalysis, n. (pl. catalyses) Chem. & Biochem. the acceleration of a chemical or biochemical reaction by a catalyst.

Etymology

Gk katalusis dissolution (as CATA-, luo set free)

THESAURUS

catalysis

acetification, acidification, acidulation, alkalization, avatar, carbonation, catabolism, catalyst, chemicalization, consubstantiation, decay, dialysis, displacement, dissociation, electrolysis, ferment, fermentation, fission, heterotopia, hydrogenation, hydrolysis, hydrolyst, isomerism, metabolism, metagenesis, metamerism, metamerization, metamorphism, metamorphosis, metastasis, metathesis, metempsychosis, mutant, mutated form, mutation, nitration, oxidation, oxidization, permutation, phosphatization, photolysis, polymerism, polymerization, position isomerism, reduction, reincarnation, saturization, splitting, sport, thermolysis, transanimation, transfiguration, transfigurement, transformation, transformism, translation, translocation, transmigration, transmogrification, transmutation, transposition, transubstantiation, working

ROGET THESAURUS

catalysis

Decomposition

N decomposition, analysis, dissection, resolution, catalysis, dissolution, corruption, dispersion, disjunction, disintegration, decomposed, catalytic, analytical, resolvent, separative, solvent.