Word Study
catalysis
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, workingROGET THESAURUS
catalysis
Decomposition
N decomposition, analysis, dissection, resolution, catalysis, dissolution, corruption, dispersion, disjunction, disintegration, decomposed, catalytic, analytical, resolvent, separative, solvent.For further exploring for "catalysis" in Webster Dictionary Online