Chapter 242

Cat`a*cous"tic (?) , n. [Pref. cata _ acoustics : cf. F. caraconstique .] (Physics) That part of acoustics which treats of reflected sounds or echoes See Acoustics .

Hutton.

Catadioptric, Catadioptrical <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*di*op"tric (?) , Cat`a*di*op"tric*al (?) , a. [Pref. cata + dioptric : cf. F. catadioptrique .] (Physics) Pertaining to, produced by, or involving, both the reflection and refraction of light; as, a catadioptric light .

Hutton.

Catadioptrics <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*di*op"trics (?) , n. The science which treats of catadioptric phenomena, or of the used of catadioptric instruments.

Catadrome <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*drome (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ race course; <?/ down + <?/ course.] 1. A race course.

2. (Mach.) A machine for raising or lowering heavy weights.

Catadromous <Xpage=225>

Ca*tad"ro*mous (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ down + <?/ a running.] 1. (Bot.) Having the lowest inferior segment of a pinna nearer the rachis than the lowest superior one; -- said of a mode of branching in ferns, and opposed to anadromous .

2. (Zo\'94l.) Living in fresh water, and going to the sea to spawn; -- opposed to anadromous , and of the eel.

Catafalco <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*fal"co (?) , n. [It.] See Catafalque .

Catafalque <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*falque` (?) , n. [F., fr. It. catafalco , scaffold, funeral canopy; of uncertain origin; cf. Sp. catafalso , cadahalso , cadalso , Pr. casafalc , OF. chafaut . Cf. Scaffold .] A temporary structure sometimes used in the funeral solemnities of eminent persons, for the public exhibition of the remains, or their conveyance to the place of burial.

Catagmatic <Xpage=225>

Cat`*ag*mat"ic (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ fracture, fr. <?/ to break in places; <?/ down + <?/ to break' cf. F. catagmatique .] (Med.) Having the quality of consolidating broken bones.

Cataian <Xpage=225>

Ca*ta"ian (?) , n. A native of Cathay or China; a foreigner; -- formerly a term of reproach.

Shak.

Catalan <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*lan (?) , a. Of or pertaining to Catalonia. -- n. A native or inbabitant of Catalonia; also, the language of Catalonia.

Catalan furnace , Catalan forge (Metal.) , a kind of furnace for producing wrought iron directly from the ore. It was formerly much used, esp. in Catalonia, and is still used in some parts of the United States and elsewhere.

Catalectic <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*lec"tic (?) , a. [L. catalecticus , Gr.<?/ incomplete, fr. <?/ to leave off; <?/ down, wholly + <?/ to stop.] 1. (Pros.) Wanting a syllable at the end, or terminating in an imperfect foot; as, a catalectic verse .

2. (Photog. & Chem.) Incomplete; partial; not affecting the whole of a substance.

Abney.

Catalepsy, Catalepsis <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*lep`sy (?) , Cat`a*lep"sis (?) , n. [NL. catalepsis , fr. Gr. <?/ a seizure, fr. <?/ to seize upon; <?/ down + <?/ to take, seize.] (Med.) A sudden suspension of sensation and volition, the body and limbs preserving the position that may be given them, while the action of the heart and lungs continues.

Cataleptic <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*lep"tic (?) , a. [Gr. <?/.] Pertaining to, or resembling, catalepsy; affected with catalepsy; as, a cataleptic fit .

Catallacta <Xpage=225>

Cat`al*lac"ta (?) , n. ; pl. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/. See Catallactics .] (Zo\'94l.) A division of Protozoa, of which Magosph\'91ra is the type. They exist both in a myxopod state, with branched pseudopodia, and in the form of ciliated bodies united in free, spherical colonies.

Catallactics <Xpage=225>

Cat`al*lac"tics (?) n. [Gr. <?/ to exchange; <?/ wholly + <?/ to change.] The science of exchanges, a branch of political economy.

Catalog <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*log (?) , n. & v. Catalogue.

Catalogize <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*lo*gize (?) , v. t. To insert in a catalogue; to register; to catalogue. [R.]

Coles.

Catalogue <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*logue (?) , n. [F., fr. catalogus , fr. Gr. <?/ a counting up, list, fr. <?/ to count up; <?/ down, completely + <?/ to say.] A list or enumeration of names, or articles arranged methodically, often in alphabetical order; as, a catalogue of the students of a college, or of books, or of the stars .

Card catalogue , a catalogue, as of books, having each item entered on a separate card, and the cards arranged in cases by subjects, or authors, or alphabetically. -- Catalogue raisonn\'82 (?) [F.] , a catalogue of books, etc., classed according to their subjects.

Syn. -- List; roll; index; schedule; enumeration; inventory. See List .

Catalogue <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*logue , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Catalogued (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Cataloguing (?) .] To make a list or catalogue; to insert in a catalogue.

Cataloguer <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*log`uer (?) , n. A maker of catalogues; esp. one skilled in the making of catalogues.

Catalpa <Xpage=225>

Ca*tal"pa (?) , n. [From the language of the Indians of Carolina, where Catesby discovered this tree in the year 1726.] (Bot.) A genus of American and East Indian trees, of which the best know species are the Catalpa bignonioides , a large, ornamental North American tree, with spotted white flowers and long cylindrical pods, and the C. speciosa , of the Mississipi valley; -- called also Indian bean .

Catalysis <Xpage=225>

Ca*tal"y*sis (?) , n. ; pl. Catalyse . (#) [ML., fr. Gr. <?/ dissolution, fr. <?/ to destroy, dissolve; <?/ down, wholly + <?/ to loose.]

1. Dissolution; degeneration; decay. [R.]

Sad catalysis and declension of piety. Evelyn.

2. (Chem.) (a) A process by which reaction occurs in the presence of certain agents which were formerly believed to exert an influence by mere contact. It is now believed that such reactions are attended with the formation of an intermediate compound or compounds, so that by alternate composition and decomposition the agent is apparenty left unchanged; as, the catalysis of making ether from alcohol by means of sulphuric acid; or catalysis in the action of soluble ferments (as diastase, or ptyalin) on starch. (b) The catalytic force.

Catalytic <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*ly"tic (?) , a. Relating to, or causing, catalysis. "The catalytic power is ill understood."

Ure.

Catalytic force , that form of chemical energy formerly supposed to determine catalysis.

Catalytic <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*lyt"ic , n. (Chem.) An agent employed in catalysis, as platinum black, aluminium chloride, etc.

Catamaran <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*ma*ran" , n. [The native East Indian name.] 1. A kind of raft or float, consisting of two or more logs or pieces of wood lashed together, and moved by paddles or sail; -- used as a surf boat and for other purposes on the coasts of the East and West Indies and South America. Modified forms are much used in the lumber regions of North America, and at life-saving stations.

2. Any vessel with twin hulls, whether propelled by sails or by steam; esp., one of a class of double-hulled pleasure boats remarkable for speed.

3. A kind of fire raft or torpedo bat.

The incendiary rafts prepared by Sir Sidney Smith for destroying the French flotilla at Boulogne, 1804, were called catamarans . Knight.

4. A quarrelsome woman; a scold. [Colloq.]

Catamenia <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*me"nia (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/.] (Med.) The monthly courses of women; menstrual discharges; menses.

Catamenial <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*me"ni*al (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ monthly; <?/ down, back, again + <?/ month.] Pertaining to the catamenia, or menstrual discharges.

Catamite <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*mite (?) , n. [L. Catamitus , an old form of Ganymedes Ganymede, Gr. <?/.] A boy kept for unnatural purposes.

Catamount <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*mount (?) , n. [ Cat + mount ; cf. Sp. gato mentes mountain cat.] (Zo\'94l.) The cougar. Applied also, in some parts of the United States, to the lynx.

Catanadromous <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*nad`ro*mous (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ down + <?/ up + a <?/ running, course.] (Zo\'94l.) Ascending and descending fresh streams from and to the sea, as the salmon; anadromous. [R.]

Catapasm <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*pasm (?) , n. [Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ to besprinkle; <?/ down, wholly + <?/ to strew, or sprinkle.] (Med.) A compound medicinal powder, used by the ancients to sprinkle on ulcers, to absorb perspiration, etc.

Dunglison.

Catapeltic <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*pel"tic (?) , a. Of or pertaining to a catapult.

Catapetalous <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*pet"al*ous (?) , a. [Pref. cata + petalous .] (Bot.) Having the petals held together by stamens, which grow to their bases, as in the mallow.

Cataphonic <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*phon"ic (?) , a. Of or relating to cataphonics; catacoustic.

Cataphonics <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*phon"ics (?) , n. [Pref. cata + phonic : cf. F. cataphonique .] (Physics) That branch of acoustics which treats of reflested sounds; catacoustics.

Cataphract <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*phract (?) , n. [L. cataphractes , Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ covered, fr. <?/ to cover; <?/ down, wholly + <?/ to inclose.]

1. (Mil. Antiq.) Defensive armor used for the whole body and often for the horse, also, esp. the linked mail or scale armor of some eastern nations.

2. A horseman covered with a cataphract.

Archers and slingers, cataphracts , and spears. Milton.

3. (Zo\'94l.) The armor or plate covering some fishes.

Cataphracted <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*phract`ed (?) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Covered with a cataphract, or armor of plates, scales, etc.; or with that which corresponds to this, as horny or bony plates, hard, callous skin, etc.

Cataphractic <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*phrac"tic (?) , a. Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a cataphract.

Cataphysical <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*phys"ic*al , a. [Pref. cata + physical .] Unnatural; contrary to nature. [R.]

Some artists . . . have given to Sir Walter Scott a pile of forehead which is unpleassing and cataphysical . De Quincey.

Cataplasm <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*plasm (?) , n. [L. cataplasma , Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ to spread over; <?/ down, wholly + <?/ to form, mold.] (Med.) A soft and moist substance applied externally to some part of the body; a poultice.

Dunglison.

Catapuce <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*puce (?) , n. [F.] (Bot.) Spurge. [Obs.]

Catapult <Xpage=225>

Cat"a*pult (?) , n. [L. catapulta , Gr. <?/, prob. from <?/ 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 elasti band for throwing small stones, etc.

Cataract <Xpage=225>

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; <?/ 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 <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*rac"tous (?) , a. Of the nature of a cataract in the eye; affected with cataract.

Catarrh <Xpage=225>

Ca*tarrh" (?) , n. [L. catarrhus , Gr. <?/, <?/, a running down, rheum, fr. <?/; <?/ 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.

&hand; 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 <Xpage=225>

Ca*tarrh"al (?) , a. Pertaining to, produced by, or attending, catarrh; of the nature of catarrh.

Catarrhine <Xpage=225>

Cat"ar*rhine (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ with hanging or curved nose; <?/ + <?/, <?/ nose.] (Zo\'94l.) 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 <Xpage=225>

Ca*tarrh"ous (?) , a. Catarrhal. [R.]

Catastaltic <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*stal"tic (?) , a. [Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ to check; <?/ down, wholy + <?/ to set.] (Med.) Checking evacutions through astringent or styptic qualities.

Catastasis <Xpage=225>

Ca*tas"ta*sis (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ to set; <?/ 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 <Xpage=225>

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.

Catastrophe <Xpage=225>

Ca*tas"tro*phe (?) , n. [L. catastropha , Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ to turn up and down, to overturn; <?/ down + <?/ to turn.] 1. An event producing a subversion of the order or system of things; a final event, usually of a calamitous or disastrous nature; hence, sudden calamity; great misfortune.

The strange catastrophe of affairs now at London. Bp. Buret.

The most horrible and portentous catastrophe that nature ever yet saw. Woodward.

2. The final event in a romance or a dramatic piece; a denouement, as a death in a tragedy, or a marriage in a comedy.

3. (Geol.) A violent and widely extended change in the surface of the earth, as, an elevation or subsidence of some part of it, effected by internal causes .

Whewell.

Catastrophic <Xpage=225>

Cat`a*stroph"ic (?) , a. Of a pertaining to a catastrophe.

B. Powell.

Catastrophism <Xpage=225>

Ca*tas"tro*phism (?) , n. (Geol.) The doctrine that the geological changes in the earth's crust have been caused by the sudden action of violent physical causes; -- opposed to the doctrine of uniformism .

Catastrophist <Xpage=225>

Ca*tas"tro*phist (?) , n. (Geol.) One who holds the theory or catastrophism.

Catawba <Xpage=225>

Ca*taw"ba (?) , n. 1. A well known light red variety of American grape.

2. A light-colored, sprightly American wine from the Catawba grape.

Catawbas <Xpage=225>

Ca*taw"bas (?) , n. pl. ; sing . Catawba . (Ethnol.) An appalachian tribe of Indians which originally inhabited the regions near the Catawba river and the head waters of the Santee.

Catbird <Xpage=225>

Cat"bird (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) An American bird ( Galeoscoptes Carolinensis ), allied to the mocking bird, and like it capable of imitating the notes of other birds, but less perfectly. Its note resembles at times the mewing of a cat.

Catboat <Xpage=225>

Cat"boat` (?) , n. (Naut.) A small sailboat, with a single mast placed as far forward as possible, carring a sail extended by a graff and long boom. See Illustration in Appendix.

Catcall <Xpage=225>

Cat"call` (?) , n. A sound like the cry of a cat, such as is made in playhouses to express dissatisfaction with a play; also, a small shrill instrument for making such a noise.

Upon the rising of the curtain. I was very much surprised with the great consort of catcalls which was exhibited. Addison.

Catch <Xpage=225>

Catch (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Caught (?) &or; Catched (<?/) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Catching . Catched is rarely used.] [OE. cacchen , OF. cachier , dialectic form of chacier to hunt, F. chasser , fr. (assumend) LL. captiare , for L. capture , V. intens. of capere to take, catch. See Capacious , and cf. Chase , Case a box.]

1. To lay hold on; to seize, especially with the hand; to grasp (anything) in motion, with the effect of holding; as, to catch a ball .

2. To seize after pursuing; to arrest; as, to catch a thief . "They pursued . . . and caught him."

Judg. i. 6.

3. To take captive, as in a snare or net, or on a hook; as, to catch a bird or fish .

4. Hence: To insnare; to entangle. "To catch him in his words".

Mark xii. 13.

5. To seize with the senses or the mind; to apprehend; as, to catch a melody. "Fiery thoughts . . . whereof I catch the issue."

Tennyson.

6. To communicate to; to fasten upon; as, the fire caught the adjoining building .

7. To engage and attach; to please; to charm.

The soothing arts that catch the fair. Dryden.

8. To get possession of; to attain.

Torment myself to catch the English throne. Shak.

9. To take or receive; esp. to take by sympathy, contagion, infection, or exposure; as, to catch the spirit of an occasion; to catch the measles or smallpox; to catch cold; the house caught fire.

10. To come upon unexpectedly or by surprise; to find; as, to catch one in the act of stealing .

11. To reach in time; to come up with; as, to catch a train .

To catch fire , to become inflamed or ignited. -- to catch it to get a scolding or beating; to suffer punishment. [Colloq.] -- To catch one's eye , to interrupt captiously while speaking. [Colloq.] "You catch me up so very short." Dickens . -- To catch up , to snatch; to take up suddenly.

Catch <Xpage=225>

Catch (?) , v. i. 1. To attain possession. [Obs.]

Have is have, however men do catch . Shak.

2. To be held or impeded by entanglement or a light obstruction; as, a kite catches in a tree; a door catches so as not to open.

3. To take hold; as, the bolt does not catch .

4. To spread by, or as by, infecting; to communicate.

Does the sedition catch from man to man? Addison.