catalisar

Senses

1. 1.

   to catalyze

   to accelerate a chemical reaction by acting as a catalyst

2. 2.

   to catalyze, to spark, to trigger

   to cause or accelerate a process, event, or change (figurative)

Examples

• "A enzima catalisa a reação química no organismo."

  The enzyme catalyzes the chemical reaction in the organism.

• "A crise econômica catalisou mudanças profundas na sociedade."

  The economic crisis catalyzed profound changes in society.

• "O novo projeto pode catalisar o desenvolvimento da região."

  The new project can catalyze the development of the region.

Usage

Formal register, commonly used in scientific contexts (chemistry, biology) and figuratively in formal writing to describe processes that accelerate change. Often collocates with "reação" (reaction), "mudanças" (changes), "processo" (process), and "desenvolvimento" (development).