Main Entry: ca·tal·y·sis

Pronunciation: \kə-ˈta-lə-səs\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural ca·tal·y·ses \-ˌsēz\

Etymology: Greek katalysis dissolution, from katalyein to dissolve, from kata- + lyein to dissolve, release — more at lose

Date: 1836

: a modification and especially increase in the rate of a chemical reaction induced by material unchanged chemically at the end of the reaction