catalyst
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++cat·a·lyst /ˈkætl-ɪst/ ●○○ noun [countable] 1. HC technical a substance that makes a chemical reaction happen more quickly without being changed itself 催化剂，触媒2 CAUSEsomething or someone that causes an important change or event to happen 导致重大变化的事物[人]；促进因素catalyst for They hope his election will act as a catalyst for reform. 他们希望他的当选会成为改革的催化剂。 —catalytic /ˌkætlˈɪtɪk◂/ adjective
Examples from the Corpus
catalyst• The town acts as a catalyst for social development producing new cultural orientations among its residents.• Forbes, speaking by telephone, promoted his flat tax plan as a catalyst for economic good times.• John was a catalyst who gave them the exposure.• It would usually start with three or four of the top players serving as catalysts.• But low hydrogen yields and poisoned catalysts soon had these systems grinding to a halt.• That training was the catalyst bringing together many of the negative elements of the law as practiced today.• The catalyst for her new ensemble was undoubtedly her 1987 marriage to her fellow troubadour Mr David Stewart.catalyst for• The women's movement acted as a catalyst for change in the workplace.Origin catalyst (1900-2000) catalysis, on the model of analystcat·a·lyst nounChineseSyllable
a substance reaction Corpus that makes a chemical
catalyst
cat‧a‧lyst /ˈkætl-əst, ˈkætl-ɪst/
noun [countable]
2. something or someone that causes an important change or event to happen
catalyst for
They hope his election will act as a catalyst for reform.
—catalytic /ˌkætlˈɪtɪk◂/ adjective
cat‧a‧lyst /ˈkætl-əst, ˈkætl-ɪst/
noun [countable] Date: 1900-2000
Origin: catalysis, on the model of analyst
1. technical a substance that makes a chemical reaction happen more quickly without being changed itselfOrigin: catalysis, on the model of analyst
2. something or someone that causes an important change or event to happen
catalyst for
—catalytic /ˌkætlˈɪtɪk◂/ adjective