Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

cata|logue /kæ təlɒg/ (catalogues , cataloguing , catalogued ) in AM, usually use catalog 1 N‑COUNT A catalogue is a list of things such as the goods you can buy from a particular company, the objects in a museum, or the books in a library. □  …the world's biggest seed catalogue.

2 VERB To catalogue things means to make a list of them. □ [V n] The Royal Greenwich Observatory was founded to observe and catalogue the stars.

3 N‑COUNT A catalogue of similar things, especially bad things, is a number of them considered or discussed one after another. □ [+ of ] …the latest tragedy in a catalogue of disasters.

cata|lyse /kæ təla I z/ (catalyses , catalysing , catalysed ) in AM, use catalyze 1 VERB If something catalyses a thing or a situation, it makes it active. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Any unexpected circumstance that arises may catalyze a sudden escalation of violence.

2 VERB In chemistry, if something catalyses a reaction or event, it causes it to happen. [TECHNICAL ] □ [V n] The wires do not have a large enough surface to catalyse a big explosion.

ca|taly|sis /kətæ l I s I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Catalysis is the speeding up of a chemical reaction by adding a catalyst to it. [TECHNICAL ]

cata|lyst /kæ təl I st/ (catalysts )

1 N‑COUNT You can describe a person or thing that causes a change or event to happen as a catalyst . □ [+ for ] I very much hope that this case will prove to be a catalyst for change. □  He said he saw the bank's role as a catalyst to encourage foreign direct investment.

2 N‑COUNT In chemistry, a catalyst is a substance that causes a chemical reaction to take place more quickly.

cata|lyt|ic /kæ təl I t I k/

1 ADJ [ADJ n] In chemistry, a catalytic substance or a substance with catalytic properties is a substance which increases the speed of a chemical reaction. □  …carbon molecules with unusual chemical and catalytic properties.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a person or thing as having a catalytic effect, you mean that they cause things to happen or they increase the speed at which things happen. [FORMAL ] □  Governments do, however, have a vital catalytic role in orchestrating rescue operations.

ca ta|lyt|ic con|ve rt|er (catalytic converters ) N‑COUNT A catalytic converter is a device which is fitted to a car's exhaust to reduce the pollution coming from it.

cata|ma|ran /kæ təməræ n/ (catamarans ) N‑COUNT A catamaran is a sailing boat with two parallel hulls that are held in place by a single deck.

cata|pult /kæ təpʌlt/ (catapults , catapulting , catapulted )

1 N‑COUNT A catapult is a device for shooting small stones. It is made of a Y-shaped stick with a piece of elastic tied between the two top parts. [BRIT ] in AM, use slingshot 2 VERB If someone or something catapults or is catapulted through the air, they are thrown very suddenly, quickly, and violently through it. □ [V prep] We've all seen enough dummies catapulting through windscreens in TV warnings to know the dangers of not wearing seat belts. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] He was catapulted into the side of the van. [Also V n prep/adv]

3 VERB If something catapults you into a particular state or situation, or if you catapult there, you are suddenly and unexpectedly caused to be in that state or situation. □ [be V -ed + into ] Suddenly she was catapulted into his jet-set lifestyle. □ [V + to ] Affleck catapulted to fame after picking up an Oscar.

cata|ract /kæ tərækt/ (cataracts ) N‑COUNT [usu pl, N n] Cataracts are layers over a person's eyes that prevent them from seeing properly. Cataracts usually develop because of old age or illness. □  Age is not a factor in cataract surgery.