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catalyst

cat·a·lyst [ kátt'list ] (plural cat·a·lysts)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. chemical that accelerates chemical reaction: a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any change

2. stimulus to change: somebody or something that makes a change happen or brings about an event
The quarrel acted as a catalyst for the breakup of their partnership.

[Early 20th century. <catalysis]
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