catalyse
    v 1: change by catalysis or cause to catalyze [syn: catalyze,
         catalyse]

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]

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]

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]