Noun: catalyst ka-tu-list
- (chemistry) a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected
"Platinum is often used as a catalyst in industrial processes";
- accelerator
- Something that causes an important event to happen
"the invasion acted as a catalyst to unite the country"
Derived forms: catalysts
Type of: activator, causal agency, causal agent, cause
Encyclopedia: Catalyst, Chris