dissolution; degeneration; decay.-a process by which reaction occurs in the presence of certain agents which were formerly believed to exert an influence by mere contact. it is now believed that such reactions are attended with the formation of an intermediate compound or compounds, so that by alternate composition and decomposition the agent is apparenty left unchanged; as, the catalysis of making ether from alcohol by means of sulphuric acid; or catalysis in the action of soluble ferments (as diastase, or ptyalin) on starch.-the catalytic force.