Cata-
a prefix meaning “down,” “against,” “back,” occurring originally in loanwords from Greek (cataclysm; catalog; catalepsy); on this model, used in the formation of other compound words (catagenesis; cataphyll).
prefix
down; downwards; lower in position: catadromous, cataphyll
indicating reversal, opposition, degeneration, etc: cataplasia, catatonia
word-forming element from Latinized form of Greek kata-, before vowels kat-, from kata “down from, down to.” Its principal sense is “down,” but occasionally it has senses of “against” (catapult)or “wrongly” (catachresis). Also sometimes used as an intensive or with a sense of completion of action (catalogue). Very active in ancient Greek, this prefix is found in English mostly in words borrowed through Latin after c.1500.
cata- pref.
Down: catabolism.
Reverse; backward; degenerative: cataplasia.
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