catalyst
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cat·a·lyst
(kăt′l-ĭst)n.
1. Chemistry A substance, usually used in small amounts relative to the reactants, that modifies and increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process.
2. One that precipitates a process or event, especially without being involved in or changed by the consequences: "A free press ... has remained ... a vital catalyst to an informed and responsible electorate" (Robert O'Neal).
[From catalysis.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
catalyst
(ˈkætəlɪst)n
1. (Chemistry) a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself suffering any permanent chemical change. Compare inhibitor2
2. a person or thing that causes a change
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
cat•a•lyst
(ˈkæt l ɪst)n.
1. a substance that causes or speeds a chemical reaction without itself being affected.
2. a person or thing that precipitates an event or change.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
cat·a·lyst
(kăt′l-ĭst) A substance that starts or speeds up a chemical reaction while undergoing no permanent change itself. The enzymes in saliva, for example, are catalysts in digestion.
catalyze verb
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
catalyst
A substance which alters the rate of a chemical reaction. It takes part in the reaction but remains chemically unchanged by it.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Noun | 1. |  catalyst - (chemistry) a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affectedchemical science, chemistry - the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions activator - (biology) any agency bringing about activation; a molecule that increases the activity of an enzyme or a protein that increases the production of a gene product in DNA transcription biocatalyst - a biochemical catalyst such as an enzyme enzyme - any of several complex proteins that are produced by cells and act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions platinum black - a fine black powder of platinum; used as a catalyst in chemical reactions anticatalyst - (chemistry) a substance that retards a chemical reaction or diminishes the activity of a catalyst |
| 2. | catalyst - something that causes an important event to happen; "the invasion acted as a catalyst to unite the country" causal agency, causal agent, cause - any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for events or results |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
catalyst
nounThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
حَفّاز، مُحَفِّزمادَّةٌ حَفّازَه
katalyzátor
drivkraftigangsætterkatalysator
katalysaattorikatalyytti
hvatamaîur, hvatihvati
kas pagreitina permainaskatalizatoriuskatalizuojantis
katalizators
katalyzátor
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
catalyst
n (lit, fig) → Katalysator m
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
catalyst
(kӕtəlist) noun1. a substance which causes or assists a chemical change in another substance without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.
2. someone or something that helps bring about a change.
ˌcataˈlytic adjectiveKernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
cat·a·lyst
a. catalítico-a, agente estimulante de una reacción química sin afectarla.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012