The Collaborative International Dictionary
catalyze \catalyze\ v. t. 1. 1 (chemistry) to cause (a chemical reaction) to proceed more quickly by contacting the reactant(s) with another substance; as, moisture catalyzes the oxidation of iron in air. [Also spelled catalyse.]
Syn: change by catalysis, cause to catalyze.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1890, back-formation from catalysis on model of analyze/analysis. Related: Catalyzed; catalyzing. Probably influenced by French catalyser (1842).
Wiktionary
alt. 1 (senseid en to bring about the catalysis of a chemical reaction)(context transitive English) To bring about the catalysis of a chemical reaction. 2 (senseid en to accelerate a process)(context transitive English) To accelerate a process. 3 (context transitive English) To inspire significantly by catalysis. vb. 1 (senseid en to bring about the catalysis of a chemical reaction)(context transitive English) To bring about the catalysis of a chemical reaction. 2 (senseid en to accelerate a process)(context transitive English) To accelerate a process. 3 (context transitive English) To inspire significantly by catalysis.
WordNet
v. change by catalysis or cause to catalyze [syn: catalyse]
Usage examples of "catalyze".
They were its first occupants, and it would be some time before all this aseptic newness had been converted into a warm, human home, The children, doubtless, would catalyze the process rather effectively.
Danilo Syrtis-Ardais most likely had to do with his ability to catalyze unawakened talents.
But Istvana had explained that her feelings of unease around Danilo Syrtis-Ardais most likely had to do with his ability to catalyze unawakened talents.
They often catalyze new construction and additional sales near the mall site, as restaurants and other retailers try to capitalize on the traffic flow to the mall.
Grannta, or the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, because it was certain to catalyze tensions which had been building for years, certain to precipitate a war.
I remembered a kind of time compressor, and a field that would catalyze combustion, both centuries old.
Thin aromatic hydrocarbon, one part per billion in the room, catalyzes him.
Sometimes a little nudge brings an easy confession, sometimes it catalyzes uncrackable resolve.
The logic of the basic premise goes unchallenged, and the emotional reactions catalyzed by the Quest appetite seize the moment.
It was undoubtedly the operation that cut out their speech centers that catalyzed that.
Javan that close contact between Deryni and humans sometimes catalyzed near-Deryni tendencies in the human so exposed.
I think I have finally designed an adequate combustion chamber for catalyzed controlled breakdown.
Jack knew she was referring to her years-ago wild card transformation when trauma had catalyzed her into becoming a more than reasonable facsimile of a local subway car.
The catalyzing shape of enzymes is the seam between predetermined atomic interactions and the self-ordering living library.
Inside was warmth and the drone of information fats and catalyzing agents.