Cataplasm
(Cat"a*plasm) n. [L. cataplasma, Gr. fr. to spread over; kata` down, wholly + to form, mold.]
(Med.) A soft and moist substance applied externally to some part of the body; a poultice. Dunglison.
Catapuce
(Cat"a*puce) n. [F.] (Bot.) Spurge. [Obs.]
Catapult
(Cat"a*pult) n. [L. catapulta, Gr. prob. from kata` down + to shake, hurl.]
1. (Mil. Antiq.) An engine somewhat resembling a massive crossbow, used by the ancient Greeks and
Romans for throwing stones, arrows, spears, etc.
2. A forked stick with elastic band for throwing small stones, etc.
Cataract
(Cat"a*ract) n. [L. cataracta, catarracles, a waterfall, Gr. fr. to break down; in the passive, to
fall or rush down (of tumors) to burst; kata` down + to break.]
1. A great fall of water over a precipice; a large waterfall.
2. (Surg.) An opacity of the crystalline lens, or of its capsule, which prevents the passage of the rays
of light and impairs or destroys the sight.
3. (Mach.) A kind of hydraulic brake for regulating the action of pumping engines and other machines; —
sometimes called dashpot.
Cataractous
(Cat`a*rac"tous) a. Of the nature of a cataract in the eye; affected with cataract.
Catarrh
(Ca*tarrh") n. [L. catarrhus, Gr. a running down, rheum, fr. kata` down + to flow. See Stream.]
(Med.) An inflammatory affection of any mucous membrane, in which there are congestion, swelling,
and an altertion in the quantity and quality of mucus secreted; as, catarrh of the stomach; catarrh of the
bladder.
In America, the term catarrh is applied especially to a chronic inflammation of, and hypersecretion fron,
the membranes of the nose or air passages; in England, to an acute influenza, resulting a cold, and
attended with cough, thirst, lassitude, and watery eyes; also, to the cold itself.
Catarrhal
(Ca*tarrh"al) a. Pertaining to, produced by, or attending, catarrh; of the nature of catarrh.
Catarrhine
(Cat"ar*rhine) n. [Gr. kata`rris with hanging or curved nose; kata` down + "ri`s, "rino`s
nose.] (Zoöl.) One of the Catarrhina, a division of Quadrumana, including the Old World monkeys and
apes which have the nostrils close together and turned downward. See Monkey.
Catarrhous
(Ca*tarrh"ous) a. Catarrhal. [R.]
Catastaltic
(Cat`a*stal"tic) a. [Gr. fr. to check; kata` down, wholy + to set.] (Med.) Checking evacuations
through astringent or styptic qualities.
Catastasis
(||Ca*tas"ta*sis) n. [NL., fr. Gr. fr. to set; kata` down + to place.]
1. (Rhet.) That part of a speech, usually the exordium, in which the orator sets forth the subject matter
to be discussed.
2. (Med.) The state, or condition of anything; constitution; habit of body.
Catasterism
(Ca*tas"ter*ism) n. [Gr. fr. to place among the stars.] A placing among the stars; a catalogue
of stars.
The catasterisms of Eratosthenes.
Whewell.
