cataphracti 
cataphracti (kat-a-frak'ti), n. pi. [L. cata- 
phracti, mailed soldiers, pi. of cataphraotois, 
< Gr. KaTa<f>p(iKTo<;, mailed: see eataphract.^ 1. 
A name given by the Romans to men wearing 
the eataphract ; specifically, a body of troops 
introduced into the Roman army itself in the 
fourth century A. D., ami forming at a later 
time perhaps tho most formidable part of the 
Byzantine armies. 2. [('/'.] [NL.] In Miil- 
ler's and GUnther's systems of classification : 
(a) A family of acanthopterygian fishes, having 
a bony stay for the angle of the preoperculum, 
which is armed, and the body completely cui- 
rassed by bony-keeled plates or scales. (6) The 
fourth group of Triglidie, with the body com- 
pletely cuirassed by bony-keeled plates or 
scales, and having pyloric appendages in small 
or moderate number. 3. [cap.'] [NL.] A fam- 
ily of plectognathous fishes: same as Ostra- 
ciontida;. Fitzinyer, 1873. 
cataphractic (k'at-a-frak'tik), a. [< eata- 
phract + -i>.] Pertaining to a eataphract ; re- 
sembling a eataphract. 
Cataphrygian (kat-a-frij'i-an). n. [< LL. Ca- 
tuphryyes, pi. (< Or. KOTO, according to, + <J>pi>- 
yia, Phrygia, the native country of Montanus), 
+ -tan.] One of the ancient sect of heretics 
now commonly called Montanists. See Monta- 
nist. 
cataphyl (kat'a-fil), . Same as cataphyllum, 
cataphylla, . " Plural of cataphyllum. 
cataphyllary(kat-a-fira-ri), a. [< cataphyllum 
+ -n/i.] Of the nature of a cataphyllum. 
The two most common forms of leaves are the scales or 
" cataphyllary leaves " and the foliage leaves. 
Sachs, Botany (trans.), p. 193. 
cataphyllum (kat-a-fil'um), .; pi. cataphylla 
(-a). [NL. (cf. Gr. KtmtyvXtaf, 
leafy),<Gr. Kara, down, upon, 
+ rfiiJUov = L. folium, leaf.] 
In oot., one of the rudimen- 
tary leaves which precede 
a stage of growth, as the co- 
tyledons of an embryo, the 
scales of a bud, the scales 
of a rhizome, etc. Also cata- 
phyl. 
cataphysic, cataphysical 
(kat-a-fiz'ik, -i-kal), a. [< Gr. 
Kara, 'ilown, against, -f jiva;, 
nature : see physical.] Con- 
trary or opposed to nature : 
as, cataphysical laws. 
cataplasm (kat'a-plazm), 11. 
[= F. cataplasnie = Sp. Pg. 
It. cataplasma, < L. cataplas- 
ma, a plaster, poultice, < Gr. 
Kardw/iuafta, poultice, < Kara- 
K^aaaciv, spread over, < Kara, 
down, + vUaauv, form, shape : see plaster.] 
In med., a soft and moist substance to be ap- 
plied to some part of the body; a poultice, 
cataplectic (kat-a-plek'tik), a. [= F. eataplec- 
tique, < Gr. Karan'Ar/KTtKof, striking, < KaraTr/by/frof, 
astonishing, lit. ' striking down,' verbal adj. of 
KaTa-n-Atjaoeiv, strike down: see cataplexy and 
-tc.] Pertaining to cataplexy; causing cata- 
plexy; shocking the nervous system. [Rare.] 
The cataplectic effect of massive stimulation. 
Proc. Soc. Psych. Research, Oct., 188. 
catapleiite (kat-a-ple'it), . A silicate of zir- 
conium and sodium, occurring in tabular hex- 
agonal crystals of a yellowish-brown color, 
cataplexy (kat'a-plek-si), ti. [= F. cataplexie 
= Sp. Pg. cataplexia, < NL. *catanlexia, < Gr. 
/cnran-/l^f, stricken, struck (cf. KaTairtyl-if, con- 
sternation), < KaTair'/yaoeiv, strike down, < Kara, 
down, + Trhqaoeiv (-\/ *ir%.iry, "Tr/lay), strike : see 
plectrum, plague.] A sudden nervous shock 
which immobilizes or paralyzes the subject. 
A state which our ancestors called Sideration, and which 
we now call cataplexy. . . . This word was coined, I 
believe, by Preyer, and applied to the condition of hens 
staring at a chalk-line. 
Proc. Soc. Psych. Research, Oct., 1886, p. 143: 
catapotiont, catapotiumt, n. [L. catapoUum, 
< Gr. /caraTronov, Ka.ra.vmm, a pill, orig. that 
856 
catapult (kat'a-pult), n. [= F. catapulte = 
Sp. Pg. It. cafupitlta, < L. catapulta, < Gr. Ka- 
TaTriArr/f (occasionally -jrdAnjf)) an engine for 
throwing stones, prob. < */curajra/>/lv, throw 
down, in pass. KaTaird'A'/.eaBai, leap down, < Kara, 
down, + 7ra/Jv, brandish, swing, hurl.] 1. 
In Horn, antifj., a military engine used to throw 
darts of great size, called pJtalarirn or tril'nj-. 
Corm of Crocus with 
Cataphylla. 
A pill. 
Here he began to taste the fragrant smack, 
The catapotion of heart-easing love. 
Ford, Fame's Memorial. 
2. Deglutition. 
catapucet (kat'a-pus), . [ME., also catapus, < 
F. catapuce = Sp. Pg. catapucia = It. catapuzza, 
spurge, prob. < L. catapotium: see catapotion.] 
The herb spurge, Euphorbia Lathyris. Chaucer. 
missiles from a catapult. C. Reade. 
cataract (kat'a-rakt), . [< ME. cateracte = F. 
cataracte = Pi-, cataracta = Sp. Pg. catarata = 
It. cateratta = D. G. Dan. Sw. katarakt = Rusg. 
kataraktu, < L. cataracta, also catarracta and 
catarractes, < Gr. KarappdnTrK, a waterfall, also 
a portcullis (as adj., down-rushing): either (1) 
< Karappr/yviivai (second aor. narappayifvai), break 
down, in pass, rush down, < Kara, down, + pij- 
yvvvai, break; or (2), being also spelled Karapd- 
KTJ/<:, < Karapdoaetv, dash down, break in pieces, 
fall headlong, < /card, down, T apaaaeiv, strike 
hard, dash in pieces.] 1. A descent of water 
over a steeply sloping but not perpendicular 
surface, as the cataracts of the Nile and the 
Orinoco ; hence, especially in poetical use, any 
large waterfall, as that of the Niagara. 
You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout ! 
Shak., Lear, iii. 2. 
The tremendous cataracts of America thundering in their 
solitudes. Irving. 
2. Any furious rush or downpour of water. 
The hollow ocean-ridges roaring into cataracts. 
Tennyson, Locksley Hall. 
3. A disease of the eye, characterized by opa- 
city of the lens. It is produced in various ways, often 
as a senile change, being then a sclerosis of the lens. Cap- 
gitlar cataracts, so called, do not involve an opaqueness 
of the capsule of the lens itself, but of that part of the 
lens which is next to the capsule, or are due to a deposit of 
opaque matter externally upon the capsule. A tecvmliirn 
cataract is one due to an earlier disease of the eye. Cata- 
racts are probably incurable except by surgical treatment. 
The lens is commonly entirely removed by an incision into 
the eye, or it is broken up with a flue needle and left to be 
absorbed. 
Almost blind 
With ever-growing cataract. 
Tennyson, The Sisters. 
4. In fort., a herse. 5. A regulator for sin- 
gle-acting steam-engines, invented by Smea- 
ton. E. H. Knight. 6t. The plungeon, a kind 
of cormorant : so called because of its violent 
downward flight in seizing its prey. E. Phil- 
lips, 1706 Discission of cataract. See a 
= Syn. 1. Cascade, Cataract. See cascade!. 
Catapult. 
Its construction is nowhere explained with any fullness, 
and it is uncertain whether its action was that of a cross- 
bow or whether springs were the propelling power. By 
later authors the catapult and ballista seem to be con- 
founded. In the middle ages the name is hardly used, 
except where a writer is evidently seeking to give a clas- 
sical form to his composition. In the annexed cut, which 
represents a catapult of the later period when no dis- 
Unction was made between it and the ballista, F is the 
end of a strong lever, which revolves on an axis and is 
held down by a windlass, A. At the extremity is a fork, 
E E, with the prongs curving, slightly upward so as to af- 
ford a bed for a barrel of combustible matter or a heavy 
missile confined by a rope with a loop at the end, the loop 
being passed through a hook, D. When the lever was re- 
leased it bounded suddenly upward, the centrifugal force 
causing the loop C to slip off the hook, whereupon the bar- 
rel held on the fork was liberated and projected toward 
its object. II shows rings of iron, stone, or lead, intended 
to increase the rebound due to the stretched cables or 
other devices which furnished the propelling force. 
Bring up the catapults, and shake the wall. 
Fletcher, Bonduca, Iv. 4. 
All the bombards and catapults, and other engines of 
war, thundered furiously upon the city, doing great dam- 
age. Intuff, Granada, p. 400. 
2. A small forked stick to each prong of which 
is attached an elastic band, generally provided 
with a piece of leather in the middle, used by 
boys for throwing small missiles, such as stones, 
peas, paper pellets, and the like, 
catapultic (kat-a-pul'tik), a. [< catapult + -if. 
catasarca 
cataractine (kat-a-rak'tin), n. [< cataract + 
-iwfi.] Pertaining to a cataract or waterfall; 
giving rise to a fall of water. [Rare.] 
The plain In-low tlu-si.- t'atantctiiif ^lurirrs was pilin<riip 
with the debris, while tin-rents of the melted rubbish found 
their way, foaming and muddy, to the sea, carrying gravel 
and rocks along with tin-in. KHIH: Sec. (li inn. Exp., I. 334. 
cataractOUS (kat'a-rak-tus), a. [< cataract + 
-OMX.] Partaking of the nature of a cataract 
in the eye. 
cataract-spoon (kat'a-rakt-spon), . A spoon 
or curette for removing the lens of the eye in 
operations for cataract. 
Catarhina, . pi. See Catnnithitt. 
catarhine, (i. and //. See culnrrhini'. 
Catarhini (kat-a-ri'm), rt.pl. Same as Catar- 
rliiiia. 
cataria (ka-ta'ri-ij), n. [NL., < LL. ctitus (see 
cat 1 ) + -aria, q. v.] A name of the catnip, 
Nepeta Cataria. 
catarrh, (ka-tar'), n. [= F. catarrhe = Pr. ca- 
tnr = Pg."catarrho = Sp. It. catarro, < L. ca- 
tarrhtis, < Gr. xarappoof, a catarrh, lit. a flowing 
down, < Karappeiv, flow down, < Kara, down, + 
petv, flow.] Inflammation of a mucous mem- 
brane, especially of the air-passages of the head 
and throat, with an exudation on its free surface 
containing mucin and epithelial cells, but not 
involving a destruction of the epithelial layer 
or the formation of patches of false membrane, 
as occurs in diphtheritic inflammation : as, gas- 
tric catarrh; vaginal catarrh. 
catarrhal (ka-ta'ral), a. [< catarrh + -al; = 
F. catarrhal = Spi . catarral = Pg. catarrhal = 
It. catarrale.] Pertaining to or of the nature 
of catarrh; produced by or attending catarrh: 
as, a catarrhal fever. Also catarrltous. Catar- 
rhal pneumonia. Same as hrmtchopneumonia. See also 
1'tn'n mania. 
catarrhepus (ka-ta're-us), a. [< catarrh + 
-rows; cf. catarrhotts.] Same as catarrhal. 
Catarrhina, Catarhina (kat-a-ri'uii), . pi. 
[NL., < Gr. mrd, down, -f- pic, piv, the liose.] A 
section of quadrumanous mammals, including 
those monkeys and apes which have the nos- 
Cf. catapcltic.] Pertaining to a catapult, 
catapultier (kat"a-pul-ter'), n. [< catapult + 
-ier, as in grenadier, etc.] One who discharges 
Skeleton and Outline of a Catarrhine Monkey ( Cercopithecus). 
fa, parietal ; oc, occipital ; ma, mandible ; C, cervical vertebrae 
D, dorsal vertebrae ; L, lumbar vertebrae ; st, sternum ; hu, humerus 
ra. radius; ul, ulna ; cf, carpus; me, metacarpus; it, ilium ; pt 
pelvis;/?, femur; fat, patella ; fib, fibula ; lib, tibia ; tar, tarsus 
met, metatarsus ; f, phalanges. 
trils approximated, the aperture pointing down- 
ward, and the intervening septum narrow, as 
all the apes of the old world. The Barlmry ape, go- 
rilla, chimpanzee, orang, etc., are included in this section. 
Opposed to Plati/rrldna. Also written Catarrhini, Cata- 
rhini. 
catarrhine, catarhine (kat'a-rm or -rin), a. 
and n. [< Catarrhina.] I. a. Of or pertaining 
to the monkeys classed as Catarrhina. 
The catarhine monkeys are restricted entirely to the Old 
World. H. A. Nicholson. 
II. . A monkey of the section Catarrhina. 
Catarrhini (kat-a-ri'ni), n. pi. Same as Catar- 
rhina. 
catarrhish (ka-tii'rish), a. [< catarrh + -f*/l.] 
Like catarrh; catarrhal. 
catarrhous (ka-ta'rus), a. Same as catarrhal. 
catasarca 1 1, '. [NL., < Gr. Kara, upon, + aapm, 
ace. of adpf, skin.] Same as aiiasarea. E. Phil- 
lips, 1706. 
catasarca 2 (kat-a-sar'ka), n. [< MGr. (TO) Kard- 
aapua, that which is Kara Capua, next the skin, 
inside or beneath the outer covering: see cata- 
snrco 1 .] In the Gr. Cli., the inner or lower 
altar-cloth, spread immediately upon the top 
of the altar, and covered by the ependytes, or 
outer altar-cloth. 
At the angles of the mensa are placed four small pieces 
of cloth, symbolizing the four evangelists, called from 
them, and adorned with their respective emblems ; over 
these the catasarka of silk or stuff is spread, having four 
strings or tassels at its extremity. 
J. M. Xeale, Eastern Church, i. 187. 
