Word Study
cata
CIDE DICTIONARY
cata, [Gr. kata`.].
The Latin and English form of a Greek preposition, used as a prefix to signify down , downward , under , against , contrary or opposed to , wholly , completely ; as in cataclysm, catarrh. It sometimes drops the final vowel, as in catoptric; and is sometimes changed to cath, as in cathartic, catholic. [1913 Webster]
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