cata-

American  

especially before a vowel, cat-;

1. 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 ).

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cata- British  

prefix

1. down; downwards; lower in position

   catadromous

   cataphyll

2. indicating reversal, opposition, degeneration, etc

   cataplasia

   catatonia

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Etymology

Origin of cata-

< Greek kata-, combining form of katá down, through, against, according to, towards, during

Example Sentences

She was Alejandra Cata, a real estate agent and model, who was playing in only her second-ever competition.

From Reuters

“Current data collection masks infections in the meat- and poultry-processing industry, which nationally have been a covid-19 hot spot,” said Leila Borrero-Krouse, community outreach organizer of CATA’s Farmworker Support Committee in Maryland.

From Washington Post

In early January, Cata Ramos Gonazalez’s husband died from the virus after more than two weeks of coughing and breathing problems at home.

From Los Angeles Times

What’s in the basket: Grand Cata, the wine shop within Latin food hall La Cosecha at Union Market, offers slices of jamón serrano and block of Capáez cheese from Puerto Rico in a transportable to-go pack.

From Washington Post

Burmann is survived by his sister Chrystal Weideman in Germany, and grand nieces of his late partner of 25 years, Alfonso Cata, who had been artistic director of Ballet du Nord.

From Reuters