CATALYTICALLY Meaning and
Definition
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Catalytically is an adverb that describes something related to or concerning a catalyst. A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed or permanently altered in the process. In chemistry, catalysts are widely used to expedite the conversion of reactants into products, enabling the reaction to occur more efficiently.
When something happens catalytically, it means that it is occurring with the use of a catalyst or is involving a process that is accelerated by a catalyst. Often, catalysts work by lowering the activation energy, which is the minimum amount of energy required for a reaction to occur. By reducing this energy barrier, catalysts facilitate the reaction by providing an alternative reaction pathway, leading to faster and more sustainable transformations of chemical species.
Catalytically can also pertain to other fields beyond chemistry, such as social or economic contexts. In these scenarios, it refers to a process or event that acts as a catalyst to provoke or stimulate change or progress. In simpler terms, catalytically suggests that an action or event is serving as a driving force for significant developments or transformations to occur more rapidly and smoothly. Overall, the adverb catalytically describes something that is influenced by or associated with a catalyst, either in a chemical or figurative sense.
Etymology of CATALYTICALLY
The word "catalytically" is derived from the base word "catalytic", which comes from the noun "catalyst". The term "catalyst" originates from the Greek word "katalystēs", meaning "one who loosens". The prefix "cata-" means "down" in Greek, and "lytic" is derived from the Greek word "lysis", meaning "loosening" or "dissolution". Therefore, when combined, "catalytically" refers to something happening in a manner that involves a catalyst or serves to break down or dissolve something.
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