anticatalyzer
|an-ti-cat-a-ly-zer|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.tiˈkæt.əˌlaɪ.zər/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tiˈkæt.əˌlaɪ.zə/
something that stops or inhibits a catalyst
Etymology
'anticatalyzer' originates from English, specifically the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek anti- meaning 'against') combined with 'catalyzer' (an agent that effects catalysis).
'catalyzer' is derived from the verb 'catalyze' (formed from 'catalyst' + '-ize'), and 'catalyst' comes from Greek 'katalysis' (from 'katalyein' meaning 'to loosen' or 'to dissolve'); 'anti-' was added in modern English to form 'anticatalyzer' meaning 'against a catalyzer'.
Initially the elements meant 'against' + 'one who causes catalysis'; combined in modern usage it denotes 'one that opposes or inhibits catalysis'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a substance or agent that inhibits, deactivates, or counteracts the action of a catalyst; a catalyst inhibitor or poison.
The presence of an anticatalyzer in the reaction mixture significantly reduced the catalytic activity.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/28 10:05