verb

catalyze

to catalyse, to accelerate, to precipitate

The enzyme catalyzes the reaction.

The enzyme catalyses the reaction.

Her speech catalyzed the protest movement.

Her speech catalysed the protest movement.

((sth.)) to cause or accelerate (sth.) The enzyme catalyses the reaction.

Synonyms: accelerate, speed up, precipitate

From Greek 'katalysis' (dissolution), from 'kata-' (down) + 'lyein' (to loosen). It 'loosens' a reaction to make it proceed.

Think of a 'catalyst' as an agent that 'catalyzes' or speeds up a process without being consumed itself.

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