catechize 
2. To question; interrogate, especially in a 
minute or impertinent manner ; examine or try 
by questions. 
I'm stopp'd by all the fools I meet 
Ami fiiti'i-liiwd in every street. Sicijt. 
Also spelled catechise. 
catechizet, . [< catechize, r. Cf. catechism.] 
A catechism. [Colloq.] 
They are carefull to instruct their children, that so when 
I come they might be ready to answer their Catechize. 
T. Shepard, Clear Sunshine of the Gospel, p. 27. 
catechizer (kat'e-ki-zer), . One who cate- 
chizes; one who instructs by question and 
answer, particularly in the rudiments of the 
Christian religion. Also spelled catechiscr. 
catechu (kat'e-cho), . [NL. catechu, Sp. ca- 
tecu, F. eacltou, etc. (cf. cutch); of E. Ind. ori- 
gin. Cf. Hind, katthd, catechu.] A name com- 
mon to several astringent extracts prepared 
from the wood, bark, and fruit of various 
plants. The true catechu, or cutch, of commerce is a 
dark-brown, hard, and brittle substance, extracted by de- 
coction and evaporation from the wood of Acacia Catechu 
and A. suina, East Indian trees. It is one of the best astrin- 
gents to be found in the inateria medica, and is largely 
used in tanning, calico-printing, etc. Pale or fjambier 
catechu is obtained from a rubiaceous climber, Uncaria 
gambler (see gambler). A kind of catechu is also made 
from the nut of the betel-palm, Areca Catechu, but it is 
not an article of commerce. An artificial catechu, service- 
able in dyeing, is obtainable from mahogany and similar 
woods. Also caehoo. 
catechuic (kat-e-cho"ik), a. [< catechu + -ic.] 
Pertaining to or derived from catechu Cate- 
chuic acid. Same as catechin. 
catechuin (kat-e-cho'in), n. [< catechu + -in 2 .] 
Same as catecliin. 
catechumen (kat-e-ku'men), M. [(Cf. ME. cate- 
cumeling, simulating cumeling, a comer) = F. 
cateclmmene = Sp. catecumeno = Pg. catechu- 
meno = It. catecumeno, < LL. catechumenus, < 
Gr. KaTJ/xovpevoi;, one instructed, ppr. pass, of 
Karr/xeiv, instruct : see catechize.] 1. One who 
is under instruction in the first rudiments of 
Christianity ; a neophyte. In the primitive church 
catechumens were the children of believing parents, or 
Jews or pagans not fully initiated in the principles of the 
Christian religion. They were admitted to this state by 
the imposition of hands and the sign of the cross, were di- 
vided into two or more classes, and in public worship were 
dismissed or retired to an outer court of the church before 
the liturgical or communion service. 
The heavens open, too, upon us ; and the Holy Ghost 
descends, to sanctify the waters, and to hallow the cate- 
chumen. Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), I. 98. 
The prayers of the church did not begin, in St. Austin's 
time, till the catechumens were dismissed. Slillingjleet. 
Of these Catechumens there were two kinds, the Audi- 
tores, who had merely expressed a wish to become Chris- 
tians, and the Competentes, who were thought worthy of 
holy Baptism. J. M. Keale, Eastern Church, i. 209. 
2. Figuratively, one who is beginning to acquire 
a knowledge of any doctrines or principles. 
The same language is still held to the catechumens in 
Jacobitistn. Bolingbroke, To Windham. 
catechumenal (kat-e-ku'me-nal), a. [< cate- 
chumen + -al.] Pertaining to a catechumen. 
He had laid aside his white catechumenal robes. 
C. C. Perkins, Italian Sculpture, Int., p. liv. 
catechumenate (kat-e-ku'me-nat), n. [< cate- 
chumen + -ate 3 ; = F. catechwnenat = Sp. cate- 
cumenado = Pg. catechumenado, -nato.] The 
state or condition of a catechumen. 
catechumenical (kat"e-ku-men'i-kal), a. [< 
catechumen + -ical. Cf. Sp. catecumenico.] Be- 
longing to catechumens ; catechumenal. 
catechumenistt (kat-e-ku'me-nist), n. [< cate- 
chumen + -ist.] A catechumen. Sp. Morton. 
categorem (kat'e-gor-em), n. [= F. cattgoreme 
= Sp. categoremo, < Gr. Karr/ytin/pa, a predicate, 
< KOTc-yopelv, predicate, assert: see category.] 
Originally, a predicate; in logic (a) as used 
by the Stoics, a term which can be made the 
subject, or more especially the predicate, of a 
proposition; (6) as used by the Peripatetics, 
the thing corresponding to a category. 
categorema (kat-e-go-re'mil), n.; pi. categore- 
mata (-ma-ta). Same as categorem. 
categorematic (kat-e-gor-e-mat'ik), a. and . 
[= F. categoreinatique = Sp. categorematico, < 
Gr. Ka.TT/y6pt/fia(T-), a predicate: see categorem.] 
I. a. Conveying a whole term, that is, either 
the subject or the predicate of a proposition, 
in a single word. Sometimes incorrectly writ- 
ten categoreumatic or cathegreumatic. 
It is not every word that is categorematic, that is, capa- 
ble of being employed by itself as a term. 
Whately, Logic, II. 1. 3. 
H. . In logic, a word which is capable of 
being employed by itself as a term. 
categorematical (kat-e-gor-e-mat'i-kal), a. 
Same as categorematic. ' 
860 
categor ematically ( kat - f - gor - e - mat ' i - kal - i ) , 
adv. In a categorematic manner ; as a cate- 
gorematic. 
categorical (kat-e-gor'i-kal), a. and ti. [= F. 
ratcgorique = Sp. categorico = Pg. It. catcgorico, 
< LL. categoricus, < Gr. Kar^opjKo'f, < KaTqyopia, 
a category: see category and -ic, -ical.] I. . 
1. Pertaining to a category or the categories: 
opposed to transcendental. 2. Stated uncon- 
ditionally ; not limited to a hypothetical state 
of things: as, a categorical proposition (that is, 
a simple, unconditional proposition). 3. Ap- 
plicable to the actual circumstances; stating 
the fact; pertinent; positive; precise; clear: 
as, a categorical answer (that is, an answer that 
clearly meets the question) Categorical imper- 
ative, the unconditional command of conscience. Cate- 
gorical syllogism, a syllogism containing only categori- 
cal propositions. 
II. n. In logic, a proposition which affirms a 
thing absolutely and without any hypothesis. 
Categoricals are subdivided into pure and modal. A pure 
categorical asserts unconditionally and unreservedly : as, 
I live ; man is mortal. A modal categorical asserts with a 
qualification : as, the wisest man may possibly be mistaken ; 
a prejudiced historian will probably misrepresent facts. 
categorically (kat-e-gor'i-kal-i), adv. In a cat- 
egorical manner; absolutely; directly; ex- 
pressly; positively: as, to affirm categorically, 
categoricalness (kat-e-gor'i-kal-nes), n. The 
quality of being categorical, positive, or abso- 
lute. 
categorist (kat'e-go-rist), . [< category + 
-ist?] One who classifies or arranges in cate- 
gories. Emerson. 
categorization (kat-e -gor-i-za'shon), n. [< cate- 
gorize + -ation.] Tte act or process of placing 
in a category or list; a classification. [Bare.] 
categorize (kat'e-go-riz), r. t. ; pret. and pp. 
categorized, ppr. categorising. [< category + 
-ize; =F. catfyoriser.] To place in a category 
or list; classify. [Rare.] 
category (kat'e-go-ri), n. ; pi. categories (-riz). 
[= F. categoric = Sp. categoria = Pg. It. cate- 
goria, < LL. categoria, < Gr. Karj/yopia, an accu- 
sation, charge, later also a predicate or predi- 
cable, usually, in Aristotle and later writers, 
a category, predicament, head of predicables, 
< Karrryopelv, accuse, declare, assert, predicate, 
< Kara, against, + ayopcveiv, declaim, address 
an assembly, < ayppa, an assembly: see agora.] 
1. In logic, a highest notion, especially one 
derived from the logical analysis of the forms 
of proposition. The word was introduced by Aristotle, 
who applies it to his ten predicaments, things said, or 
summa genera, viz., substance, quantity, quality, relation, 
action, passion, where, when, posture or relative position 
of parts, habit or state. These are derived from such an 
analysis of the proposition as could be made before the 
developed study of grammar. The categories or highest 
intellectual concepts of Kant are : categories of quantity 
unity, plurality, totality ; categories of quality reality, 
negation, limit between these ; categories of relation 
substance and accident, cause and effect, action and re- 
action ; categories of modality possibility, impossibility, 
actuality, non-actuality, necessity, non-necessity. Modern 
formal logic furnishes this list : (1) qualities, or singular 
characters ; (2) simple relations, or dual characters ; (3) 
complex relations, or plural characters. Many lists of 
categories have been given not founded on formal logic. 
The categories, or forms and conditions of human un- 
derstanding, though doubtless innate in the naturalist's 
sense of the term, that is inherited, are only the ways and 
facilities of the higher exercise of the faculty of reflection. 
C. Wright. 
The categories are not Instruments which the mind uses, 
but elements in a whole, or the stages in a complex process, 
which in its unity the mind is. E. Caird, Hegel, p. 157. 
2. A summum genus, or widest class. 3. Any 
very wide and distinctive class ; any compre- 
hensive division or class of persons or things. 
Shakespeare is as much out of the category of eminent 
authors as he is out of the crowd. Emerson, Shakespeare. 
catelt, n. Middle English form of cattle. 
catelectrode (kat-e-lek'trod), n. [< Gr. KOTO, 
down, + electrode.'] Faraday's name for the 
negative electrode or cathode of a voltaic bat- 
tery. See cathode and electrode. 
catelectrotonic (kat-e-lek-tro-ton'ik), o. [< cat- 
electrotonus + -ic.] P'ertaining to or exhibiting 
catelectrotonus. 
catelectrotonus (kat"e-lek-trot'o-nus),m. [< 
cat(hode) + electrotonus.] The changed physical 
and physiological condition in the neighbor- 
hood of the cathode when a constant electrical 
current is passed through a piece of nerve or 
muscle. Also cathelectrotonus. See electrotonus. 
catena (ka-te'na), n.; pi. catena; (-ne). [L., a 
chain, > ult. E. chain, q. v.] 1. A chain ; a con- 
nected series of notions, arguments, or objects 
generally ; a series of which each part or mem- 
ber has a close connection, like that of a link, 
with the preceding and following parts. 
The Catenary. 
The cord, a, c, b, hangs in a portion of 
the common catenary. 
cater 
We possess therefore a catena of evidence reaching back 
continuously from the date of the Moabite stone to that 
of the stone tables of the law. 
Isaac Taylor, The Alphabet, 1. 139. 
That great poem of aphoristic epigrams, the Essay on 
Man, that has never, perhaps, in any language been 
equalled as a catena of pithy wit and philosophic qnota- 
bility. N. and Q., 6th ser., IX. 287. 
2. A methodized series of selections from dif- 
ferent authors to elucidate a doctrine or a sys- 
tem of doctrines; specifically, such a set of 
quotations from the church fathers to assist 
in the study of Christian dogmatics or biblical 
exegesis: as, the Catena Aurea of St. Thomas 
Aquinas. 3. An Italian measure of length, a 
chain, equal in Naples to 52.07 feet, and in Pa- 
lermo to 26.09 feet. 
Catenaria (kat-e-na'ri-a), n. [NL., fern. sing, 
of L. catenarius: see catenary.] The typical 
genus of Catenariida:. 
catenarian (kat-e-na'ri-an), a. [< catenary + 
-an.] Same as catenary" 
To say another word of the cateiiarian arch. , . . Its 
nature proves it to be in equilibrio in every point. 
Je/erson, Correspondence, II. 416. 
Catenariidae (kat"e-na-ri'i-de), n.pl. [NL., < 
Catenaria + -ida;.] A family of Cliilostomata 
with zooecium radicate, segmented, and each 
internode (except at a bifurcation) formed of 
a single zooacium. Also Catenicellidce. 
catenary (kat'e-na-ri), a. and n. [< L. cate- 
narius, < catena, a chain: see chain.] I. a. Re- 
lating to a chain; 
like a chain. Also 
catenarian. Cate- 
nary or catenarian 
curve, in geom., the 
curve of a perfectly flex- 
ible, inextensible, infi- 
nitely fine cord when at 
rest under the action of 
forces. The common 
catenary is what the 
catenary becomes when 
the forces are parallel 
and proportional to the 
length of the cord, as in 
the case of a heavy cord 
of uniform weight un- 
der the influence of 
gravitation. It is in- 
teresting on account of the light it throws on the theory 
of arches, and also by reason of its application to the con- 
struction of suspension-bridges. 
II. .; pi. catenaries (-riz). A catenary curve. 
catenate (kat'e-nat), v. t. ; pret. and pp. cate- 
nated, ppr. catenating. [< L. catenatus, pp. of 
catenare, chain, < catena, a chain: see catena 
and chain.] To chain, or connect in a series 
of links or ties ; concatenate. 
catenate, catenated (kat'e-nat, -na-ted), a. [< 
L. catenatus, pp. : see the verb.] Having the 
structure or appearance of a chain : applied in 
zoology to impressed lines which are broken 
at regular intervals, to double striae connected 
by numerous short lines, etc. 
catenation (kat-e-na'shon), n. [= F. catena- 
tion, < L. catenation-}, < catenare : see catenate, 
'.] Connection of links; union of parts, as in 
a chain; regular connection; concatenation. 
Which catenation or conserving union. 
Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., v. 5. 
Catenipora (kat-e-nip'o-ra), n. [NL., < L. ca- 
tena, a chain, + norus, a pore.] Chain-coral, 
occurring fossil in Paleozoic strata (in Great 
Britain only in the Silurian) : so called from 
the chain-like arrangement of its pores or cells 
in polished specimens. Also called Halysites. 
Catenula (ka-ten'u-la), n. [NL., dim. of L. ca- 
tena, a chain : see chain.] The typical genus of 
the family Catenulidte. C. lemna; is an example. 
catenulate (ka-ten'u-lat), a. [< L. catenula, 
dim. of catena, a chain. Cf. catenate.] 1. 
Consisting of little links or chains. 2. In oot., 
formed of parts united end to end, like the 
links of a chain. 
Catenulidae (kat>e-nu'li-de), n. pi. [NL., < Ca- 
tenula + -ida;.] A family of aproctous rhabdo- 
coalous turbellarians, in which reproduction 
takes place asexually by transverse fission. 
Thi animals when incompletely separated swim 
about in chains, whence the name. 
cater 1 ! (ka'ter), . [By apheresis from acater, 
as cate, q. v., from acate : see acater, acate.] 
A caterer ; a purveyor ; an acater. 
I am cook myself and mine own cater. 
Fletcher, Women Pleased. 
[He] has but a eater's place on 't, and provides 
All for another's table. 
iliddleton, Women Beware Women, iii. 3. 
cater 1 (ka'ter), t'. i. [< cater 1 , .] To make 
provision, as of food, entertainment, etc. ; act 
