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revulsivo

catalyst

noun rreh-bool-SEE-boh Rare
Mind & Emotions Mental States

Also means

shock therapy

Usage Note

Revulsivo originally referred in medicine to a counter-irritant — a treatment applied to draw inflammation away from another part of the body. In modern journalistic and general use it has shifted to mean a catalyst or stimulus that shakes up a stagnant situation (el fichaje fue un revulsivo para el equipo, 'the signing was a catalyst for the team'). This figurative sense is the one learners are most likely to encounter in newspapers and sports commentary.

Examples

"El nuevo entrenador fue un revulsivo para el equipo."

Natural Translation

The new coach was a catalyst for the team.

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