Definition

Referring to a process that is accelerated or facilitated by one of its own products, often seen in chemical reactions.

Example

The reaction was found to be autocatalytic, meaning it sped up due to the presence of its own products.

Conversation

I was reading about some chemical reactions that are autocatalytic yesterday.

Oh really? What does that mean exactly?

It means the reaction is sped up by one of its own products.

That sounds interesting! I love how nature works in such clever ways.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Autocatalytic is formed from "auto-" (meaning self) and "catalytic" (from "catalysis", which comes from Greek "katalusis", meaning dissolution or breaking down). The term describes a process that is catalyzed by the product itself, hence self-catalyzing.

Memory Tip

Think of 'self' ('auto-') causing a 'breaking down' or 'dissolution' ('catalytic') process — that's why autocatalytic refers to a process that catalyzes itself.

Visually Confused Words