cataphora

[kuh-taf-er-uh]

noun

Grammar.

1. the use of a word or phrase to refer to a following word or group of words, as the use of the phrase as follows.

cataphora

/ kəˈtæfərə, ˌkætəˈfɒrɪk /

noun

1. grammar the use of a word such as a pronoun that has the same reference as a word used subsequently in the same discourse Compare anaphora

Other Word Forms

• cataphoric adjective
• cataphorically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cataphora¹

cata- + (ana)phora

Word History and Origins

Origin of cataphora¹

from _cata- + Greek pherein to bear

Example Sentences

Engineers and linguists at Cataphora, an information-sifting company based in Silicon Valley, have their software mine documents for the activities and interactions of people — who did what when, and who talks to whom.

From New York Times

“It doesn’t use keywords at all,” said Elizabeth Charnock, Cataphora’s founder.

From New York Times

The Cataphora software can also recognize the sentiment in an e-mail message — whether a person is positive or negative, or what the company calls “loud talking” — unusual emphasis that might give hints that a document is about a stressful situation.

From New York Times

“You tend to split a lot fewer infinitives when you think the F.B.I. might be reading your mail,” said Steve Roberts, Cataphora’s chief technology officer.

From New York Times

For Neil Fraser, a lawyer at Milberg, a law firm based in New York, the Cataphora software provides a way to better understand the internal workings of corporations he sues, particularly when the real decision makers may be hidden from view.

From New York Times