Ca*tal"y*sis (?),n.;pl.Catalyse. (#) [ML., fr. Gr. ? dissolution,fr. ? to destroy, dissolve;kata` down, wholly + ?to loose.]

1.Dissolution; degeneration;decay. [R.]

Sadcatalysis and declension of piety.
Evelyn.

2.(Chem.)(a)Aprocess by which reaction occurs in the presence of certainagents which were formerly believed to exert an influence by merecontact. It is now believed that such reactions are attended withthe formation of an intermediate compound or compounds, so thatby alternate composition and decomposition the agent is apparentyleft unchanged; as, thecatalysis of making ether fromalcohol by means of sulphuric acid; orcatalysis in theaction of soluble ferments (as diastase, or ptyalin) onstarch.(b)The catalyticforce.