CATALYSIS • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Catalysis

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noun

Catalysis n. (pl. catalyse)

Dissolution; degeneration; decay. (R.) "Sad catalysis and declension of piety."

(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.

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Etymology of 'Catalysis'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Catalysis" Quotes from Famous Books

... mentioned the fact, early known to chemists, that many reactions proceed with a marked increase of velocity in presence of many foreign substances. With Berzelius we call this phenomenon "catalysis," by which we understand that general acceleration of reactions which also progress when left to themselves, in the presence of certain bodies which do not change in amount (or only slightly) during the course ...

— Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 - "Chtelet" to "Chicago" • Various

Words linked to "Catalysis" : catalytic, chemical change, autocatalysis