— catalytic /kat'l it"ik/ , adj. , n. — catalytical , adj. — catalytically , adv.
/keuh tal"euh sis/ , n. , pl. catalyses /-seez'/ .
1. Chem. the causing or accelerating of a chemical change by the addition of a catalyst.
2. an action between two or more persons or forces, initiated by an agent that itself remains unaffected by the action: social catalyses occasioned by controversial writings.
[ 1645-55; katálysis dissolution, equiv. to katalý ( ein ) to dissolve ( kata- CATA- + lýein to loosen) + -sis -SIS ]