catalyze (v.)

1871, back-formation from catalysis on model of analyze/analysis. Related: Catalyzed; catalyzing. Probably influenced by French catalyser (1842).

Entries linking to catalyze

catalysis (n.)

1650s, "dissolution," from Latinized form of Greek katalysis "dissolution, a dissolving" (of governments, military units, etc.), from katalyein "to dissolve," from kata "down" (or "completely"), see cata-, + lyein "to loosen" (from PIE root *leu- "to loosen, divide, cut apart"). Chemical sense "change caused by an agent which itself remains unchanged" is attested from 1836, introduced by Swedish chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius (1779-1848).

catalyse (v.)

variant spelling of catalyze (q.v.); for spelling, see -ize. Related: Catalysed; catalysing.

Share catalyze

‘cite’

Page URL:

https://www.etymonline.com/word/catalyze

HTML Link:

<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/catalyze">Etymology of catalyze by etymonline</a>

APA style:

Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of catalyze. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved $(datetime), from https://www.etymonline.com/word/catalyze

Chicago style:

Harper Douglas, “Etymology of catalyze,” Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed $(datetime), https://www.etymonline.com/word/catalyze.

MLA style:

Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of catalyze.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/catalyze. Accessed $(datetimeMla).

IEEE style:

D. Harper. “Etymology of catalyze.” Online Etymology Dictionary. https://www.etymonline.com/word/catalyze (accessed $(datetime)).

updated on October 18, 2017

Definitions of catalyze from WordNet

catalyze (v.)

change by catalysis or cause to catalyze;

Synonyms: catalyse

From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near catalyze

catalpa

catalyse

catalysis

catalyst

catalytic

catalyze

catamaran

catamite

catamount

cataphract

cataplexy