catalyze etymology

Etymology

The word "catalyze" comes from the Greek word "katálysis," which means "dissolution" or "loosing." It is derived from the verb "katalúein," meaning "to loosen" or "to dissolve."

Meaning

Catalyze means to cause or accelerate a chemical reaction without being consumed or permanently changed itself. In other words, a catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a reaction without being involved in the overall reaction.

Origin

The term "catalyst" was first coined by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1835. He used the term to describe substances that appeared to increase the rate of chemical reactions without being consumed.

Examples

Some examples of catalysts include:

  • Enzymes in biological systems
  • Metals in automotive catalytic converters
  • Platinum in the production of sulfuric acid
  • Acids and bases in industrial chemical reactions
  • Light in photosynthesis

catalyze relate terms

  • catalysis

    Catalysis Etymology The term catalysis is derived from the Greek word katalysis whi

  • cata

    Etymology The word cata is derived from the Greek prefix κατά kata which means

  • catalyse

    Etymology Greek katálysis Latin catalysi Meaning A substance or process tha

  • catalyze

    Etymology The word catalyze comes from the Greek word katálysis which means dissol

  • runt

    Etymology The word runt is thought to have originated from the Middle English word run

  • turn

    Etymology The word turn comes from the Old English word turnian meaning to cause to

  • analyze

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It involves tracing

  • analysis

    Etymology of Analysis The word analysis comes from the Greek word análisis meani

  • amen

    Etymology Amen originated from the Hebrew word ʾāmēn אָמֵן which is a transl

  • recreation

    Etymology The word recreation derives from the Latin recreatio meaning restoration

  • salvation

    Etymology From Old French salvacion from Latin salvatio a saving rescue preservati

  • oven

    Etymology From Middle English ovene from Old French ovne from Vulgar Latin ŏfnus fr

  • insinuate

    Etymology The word insinuate derives from the Latin verb insinuāre which means to