autocatalysis

noun

au·​to·​ca·​tal·​y·​sis ˌȯ-tō-kə-ˈta-lə-səs 

plural autocatalyses ˌȯ-tō-kə-ˈta-lə-ˌsēz 

: catalysis of a reaction by one of its products

autocatalytic

ˌȯ-tō-ˌka-tə-ˈli-tik 

adjective

autocatalytically

ˌȯ-tō-ˌka-tə-ˈli-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of autocatalysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But no more grand than others triggered by autocatalysis over the past couple of centuries. —IEEE Spectrum, 8 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Autokalyse, from auto- auto- + Katalyse catalysis

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

autocatalysis

noun

au·​to·​ca·​tal·​y·​sis ˌȯt-ō-kə-ˈtal-ə-səs 

plural autocatalyses -ˌsēz 

: catalysis of a reaction by one of its products

called also autoactivation

autocatalytic

-ˌkat-ᵊl-ˈit-ik 

adjective

autocatalytically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb