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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 appare…

r causing, catalysis. "The catalytic power is ill understood." Ure. Catalytic force, that form of chemical energy formerly supposed to determine catalysis.

for other purposes on the coasts of the East and West Indies and South America. Modified forms are much used in the lumber regions of North America, and at life-saving stations.

A form of instruction by means of questions answers.

Of or pertaining to a catechism, having the form of questions and answers; catechical.

timate or undecomposable conception; a predicament. The categories or predicaments -- the former a Greek word, the latter its literal translation in the Latin language -- were intended by Aristotle and his followers as an enumeration of all things capable of being named; an enumeration by the summa genera i.e., the mos…

The curve formed by a rope or chain of uniform density and perfect flexibility, hanging freely between two points of suspension, not in the same vertical line.

A revolving piece of fireworks resembling in form the window of the same name. [Written also Catharine wheel.]

cted light, and particularly that which is reflected from mirrors or polished bodies; --- formerly caled anacamptics.

A sort of salt, finely granulated, formed out of the bittern or leach brine.

ll developed in the Catskill mountains, and extend south and west under the Carboniferous formation. See the Diagram under Geology.

or pertaining to the white races of mankind, of whom the people about Mount Caucasus were formerly taken as the type.

Having the form of a caulis.

A causal word or form of speech. Anglo-Saxon drencan to drench, causal of Anglo-Saxon drincan to drink. Skeat.

e or redult. -- Final cause, the end, design, or object, for which anything is done. -- Formal cause, the elements of a conception which make the conception or the thing conceived to be what it is; or the idea viewed as a formative principle and coöperating with the matter. -- Material cause, that of which anything…

by another surface are tangents. Caustic curves and surfaces are called catacaustic when formed by reflection, and diacaustic when formed by refraction.

A procession of persons on horseback; a formal, pompous march of horsemen by way of parade. He brought back war-worn cavalcade to the city. Prescott.

Originally, a melody of simpler form than the aria; a song without a second part and a da capo; -- a term now variously and vaguely used.

small cavity, like a small spoon. Arbuthot. Abnormal spaces or excavations are frequently formed in the lungs, which are designated cavities or vomicæ. Quain. Body cavity, the coelum. See under Body.

; sing Cayuga. (Ethnol.) A tribe of Indians formerly inbabiting western New-York, forming part of the confederacy called the Five Nations.