English Explanatory Dictionary

catalyst

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.
  2. Something that encourages progress or change.
  3. An inciting incident that sets the successive conflict into motion.
  4. A catalytic converter.
  5. An object that facilitates the casting of a spell (such as a magic wand).

Pronunciation

/ˈkæt.ɪ.lɪst/ /ˈkæt.ə.lɪst/ [ˈkæɾ.ə.lɪst] En-us-ncalif-catalyst.ogg en-au-catalyst.ogg /ˈkɛt.ə.ləst/ [ˈkɛɾ.ə.ləst]

Word forms

catalyst catalysts

Etymology

From catalysis + -ist.

Synonyms

stimulus straw that stirs the drink

Antonyms

inhibitor dampener

Related words

enzyme

Derived words

Adams's catalyst catalyse catalyze catalysis catalytic Grubbs' catalyst Lindlar catalyst phase-transfer catalyst stereospecific catalyst triphase catalyst Vandenberg catalyst Ziegler catalyst Ziegler-Natta catalyst
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