verb

catalyse

to catalyze, to accelerate, to precipitate

This enzyme will catalyse the reaction.

This enzyme will catalyze the reaction.

Her speech helped to catalyse the protest.

Her speech helped to catalyze the protest.

((sth.)) to cause or accelerate (a reaction) This enzyme will catalyze the reaction.

Synonyms: accelerate, speed up, trigger, precipitate

From Greek 'katalysis' (dissolution), from 'kata-' (down) + 'lyein' (to loosen). Note the US spelling is 'catalyze'.

A 'catalyst' is an agent that causes change. 'To catalyze' is the action that agent performs. Think of it as starting a chain reaction.

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