autocatalysis

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noun

au·​to·​ca·​tal·​y·​sis ˌȯ-tō-kə-ˈta-lə-səs 

plural autocatalyses ˌȯ-tō-kə-ˈta-lə-ˌsēz 

: catalysis of a reaction by one of its products

autocatalytic

ˌȯ-tō-ˌka-tə-ˈli-tik 

adjective

autocatalytically

ˌȯ-tō-ˌka-tə-ˈli-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

autocatalytic

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adjective

au·​to·​cat·​a·​lyt·​ic ¦ȯ-(ˌ)tō-ˌka-tə-¦li-tik 

: relating to or proceeding by autocatalysis

autocatalytically

¦ȯ-(ˌ)tō-ˌka-tə-¦li-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of autocatalysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But no more grand than others triggered by autocatalysis over the past couple of centuries. — IEEE Spectrum, 8 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from German Autokalyse, from auto- auto- + Katalyse catalysis

Adjective

from New Latin autocatalysis, after New Latin catalysis: English catalytic

First Known Use

Noun

1891, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1901, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for autocatalysis

• catalysis

Medical Definition

autocatalysis

noun

au·​to·​ca·​tal·​y·​sis ˌȯt-ō-kə-ˈtal-ə-səs 

plural autocatalyses -ˌsēz 

: catalysis of a reaction by one of its products

called also autoactivation

autocatalytic

-ˌkat-ᵊl-ˈit-ik 

adjective

autocatalytically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb