catalizador

catalyst

noun kah-tah-lee-sah-DOHR Rare

Origin: From Greek 'katalysis' (dissolution), coined in chemistry by Berzelius (1835).

Usage Note

Catalizador is used both in chemistry (a substance that speeds a reaction without being consumed) and figuratively (fue el catalizador del cambio, it was the catalyst for change). The feminine form catalizadora exists when the agent is grammatically feminine. The plural catalizadores is regular; in cars the catalytic converter is el catalizador (also convertidor catalítico).

Examples

"El platino actúa como catalizador en esa reacción."

Natural Translation

Platinum acts as a catalyst in that reaction.

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