catalyse, v.
(ˈkætəlaɪz)
Also † kata-, -lyze.
[f. catalysis after analyse, analysis.]
trans. To increase the rate of (a reaction or process) by catalytic action; to produce by means of catalysis. Also fig. Hence ˈcatalyser, -or, (rare) ˈcatalysator, a catalyst; ˈcatalysing vbl. n. and ppl. a.
| 1890 Nature 13 Nov. 25/1 Every micro-organism produces, from the substances which it katalyzes..a material or materials, which, on accumulation, inhibit its growth. 1893 Ann. Rep. Smithsonian Inst. 237 Numberless specific catalysators exist which act only upon certain phenomena. 1901 Jrnl. Amer. Chem. Soc. Apr. 236 The ratio of the velocity of the reaction to the concentration of the catalysor is nearly constant in dilute solutions of strong acids. 1904 Jrnl. Phys. Chem. May 373 Measurements were made of the effect of catalyzers on the formation of C6H5Cl and C6H6Cl6 from benzene and chlorine. 1904 J. McCabe tr. Haeckel's Wonders of Life ii. 47 Many recent chemists and physiologists are of opinion that plasm is a colloid catalysator. 1917 Chambers's Jrnl. Nov. 726/2 Some of these natural catalysers can be manufactured. 1926 Spectator 21 Aug. 280/1 [Advertising] is..the great mover of merchandise, the catalyser of commerce. 1937 Discovery June 181/1 Traces of impurities that catalyse reactions may lead to erroneous inferences. 1943 Koestler in Horizon Apr. 242 But tradition might act on a man in two ways: either as a sterilizing, or as a catalysing agent. 1944 J. S. Huxley Living in Rev. xi. 115 They do not impose their own plans, but they catalyse planning jointly with others. 1955 Sci. News Let. 29 Oct. 274/1 Peroxidase..catalyzes, or sparks, the transfer of oxygen from hydrogen peroxide..to another substance. 1966 McGraw-Hill Encycl. Sci. & Technol. V. 19/2 Most of the chemical reactions that take place in living organisms are catalyzed by specific enzymes, without which such reactions would proceed at a negligible rate, if at all. 1969 Nature 27 Dec. 1250/1 The technology bred of science has catalysed stupendous economic growth. |