'Catalyse' definitions:

Definition of 'catalyse'

verb

Change by catalysis or cause to catalyze [syn: catalyze, catalyse]

From: GCIDE

Catalyse \Cat"a*lyse`\ (k[a^]t"[.a]*l[imac]z), v. t. [ML., fr. Gr. ? dissolution, fr. ? to destroy, dissolve; kata` down, wholly + ? to loose.] same as catalyze. [PJC]

From: GCIDE

Catalysis \Ca*tal"y*sis\, n.; pl. Catalyse.[ML., fr. Gr. ? dissolution, fr. ? to destroy, dissolve; kata` down, wholly + ? to loose.] [1913 Webster]
1. Dissolution; degeneration; decay. [R.] [1913 Webster]
Sad catalysis and declension of piety. --Evelyn. [1913 Webster]
2. (Chem.) (a) A process by which a chemical reaction is accelerated in the presence of certain agents which were formerly believed to exert an influence by mere contact. It is now believed that such reactions are attended with the formation of an intermediate compound or compounds, so that by alternate composition and decomposition the agent is apparenty left unchanged; as, the catalysis of making ether from alcohol by means of sulphuric acid; or catalysis in the action of enzymes (as diastase, or ptyalin) on starch. (b) The catalytic force. [1913 Webster +PJC]

From: GCIDE

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. [WordNet 1.5]