Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Catalysis \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.]

            Sad catalysis and declension of piety. --Evelyn.

   2. (Chem.)
      (a) A process by which reaction occurs 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 soluble ferments (as
          diastase, or ptyalin) on starch.
      (b) The catalytic force.

Source : WordNet®

catalyse
     v : change by catalysis or cause to catalyze [syn: {catalyze}]