01 n. a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected; as, thousands of enzymes serve in concert as c…
-
1.
a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected; as, thousands of enzymes serve in concert as calaysts to produce the sequence of reactions we call “life”; the industrial production of cheap ammonia depended on finding a good catalyst.(Chem.)
-
2.
something that serves as a precipitating occasion for an event; as, the invasion acted as a catalyst to unite the country.
-
3.
something or someone that causes events to happen with itself being changed.