Catalytic
/ˌkætəˈlɪtɪk/
Definitions
Serving to accelerate or cause (a reaction or process) without itself undergoing a permanent chemical change.
/ˌkætəˈlɪtɪk/
Relating to or involving a catalyst.
The enzyme acted as a catalytic agent in the reaction.
💡 Simply: Something that makes something else happen faster, without changing itself.
👶 For kids: It's like a helper that makes things go quicker!
More Examples
His presence had a catalytic effect on the team's morale.
How It's Used
"The catalytic converter in a car reduces harmful emissions."
"The government's investment had a catalytic effect on the economy."
From Greek *katalyein* "to dissolve, loosen, break up," from *kata* "down" + *lyein* "to loosen". The modern scientific meaning developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the study of chemical catalysts.
While the root has ancient Greek origins, the specific scientific meaning emerged relatively recently with the development of chemistry.
Memory tip
Think 'cat' - a catalyst speeds things up, like a cat speeding through a house.