cata-

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 ).

cata-

prefix

1. down; downwards; lower in position

   catadromous

   cataphyll

2. indicating reversal, opposition, degeneration, etc

   catatonia

   cataplasia

Word History and Origins

Origin of cata-¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cata-¹

from Greek kata-, from kata. In compound words borrowed from Greek, kata- means: down ( catabolism ), away, off ( catalectic ), against ( category ), according to ( catholic ), and thoroughly ( catalogue )

Example Sentences

He won't stan' it, and he's a class of custom that you want to cata to when it comes in your way.

From Project Gutenberg

As I shut the door, she leaned to me and whispered: Tell her for me shes a cata cruel cat.

From Project Gutenberg

One of these was found out at the trial to be La Cata himself.

From Project Gutenberg