Catalyst
/ˈkæt.ə.lɪst/noun
A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.
Did you know?In alchemy, a catalyst was often viewed as a mystical agent that could turn base metals into gold, representing transformation and the hidden potential within matter.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
καταλύτης (katalytēs)
“One who loosens or dissolves, related to the act of breaking down.”
Late Latin
Latin
catalystes
“An agent that dissolves or dissolves away.”
17th Century
English
catalyst
“A term adopted in chemistry to describe a substance that causes change in another without itself being changed.”
19th Century
English
catalytic
“Pertaining to the action of a catalyst, emphasizing transformation in chemical processes.”
Modern Chemistry
English
catalyst
“Now widely used to denote any agent that causes or accelerates change.”