Catchup, Catsup. See Ketchup.
Cate. See Cates.
Catechise, kat′e-kīz, v.t. to instruct by question and answer: to question as to belief: to examine systematically, to take to task.—adjs. Catechet′ic, -al, relating to a catechism or oral instruction in the first principles, esp. of Christianity.—adv. Catechet′ically.—ns. Catechet′ics, the art or practice of teaching by question and answer: that part of theology which treats of Catechē′sis, or primary oral instruction, as that given to catechumens; Cat′echiser; Cat′echising, an examination by questioning; Cat′echism, any compendious system of teaching drawn up in the form of question and answer; Cat′echist, one who catechises, a teacher of catechumens, a native teacher in a mission church.—adjs. Catechist′ic, -al, Catechis′mal, pertaining to a catechist or catechism. [L. catechismus, formed from Gr. katēchiz-ein, katēche-ein, to din into the ears—kata, down, ēchē, a sound.]
Catechu, kat′e-shoo, n. a substance used in tanning and dyeing, and medicinally as an astringent, obtained from the heart-wood of several East Indian trees, as the betel-nut, &c. [Tamil.]
Catechumen, kat-e-kū′men, n. one who is being taught the rudiments of Christianity: the appellation given in the early Christian Church to those converted Jews and heathens who had not yet received baptism, but were undergoing a course of training and instruction preparatory to it.—adj. Catechumen′ical.—adv. Catechumen′ically.—ns. Catechū′menship, Catechū′menism, Catechū′menate. [Gr. katēchoumenos, being taught, pr.p. pass. of katēche-ein, to teach.]
Category, kat′e-gor-i, n. what may be affirmed of a class: a class or order.—adjs. Categoremat′ic, capable of being used by itself as a term; Categor′ical, positive: absolute: without exception.—adv. Categor′ically, absolutely: without qualification: expressly.—n. Categor′icalness, the quality of being absolute and unqualified.—n.pl. Cat′egories (phil.), the highest classes under which objects of philosophy can be systematically arranged, understood as an attempt at a comprehensive classification of all that exists: in Kant's system, the root-notions of the understanding, the specific forms of the a priori or formal element in rational cognition (quantity, quality, relation, modality, &c.).—v.t. Cat′egorise, to place in a category or list: to class.—n. Categor′ist, one who categorises.—Categorical imperative, in the ethics of Kant, the absolute unconditional command of the moral law, irrespective of every ulterior end or aim—universally authoritative, belonging to the fixed law of nature—'Act from a maxim at all times fit for law universal.' [Gr. katēgoria, katēgoros, an accuser, kata, down, against, agora, assembly.]
Catelectrode, kat-ē-lek′trōd, n. a negative electrode or cathode. [Gr. kata, down, and Electrode.]
Catenary, kat-ē′nar-i, n. the curve formed by a flexible homogeneous cord (such as a chain), hanging freely between two points of support, and acted on by no other force than gravity.—adj. relating to a chain, like a chain—also Catenā′rian.—n. Catē′na, a chain or connected series, as in Catena Patrum, a chronological series of extracts from the Fathers on any doctrine of theology.—v.t. Cat′enāte to connect as in a chain.—n. Catenā′tion. [L. catenarius, pertaining to a chain—catēna, chain.]
Cater, kā′tėr, v.i. to provide food, entertainment, &c. (with for).—ns. Cā′terer; Cā′teress; Cā′tering. [Lit. to act as a cater, the word being orig. a substantive, and spelled catour, an aphetised form of acater, acatour. See Acater.]
Cateran, kat′er-an, n. a Highland reiver or freebooter, a robber or brigand generally. [Gael. ceathairne, peasantry, Ir. ceithern, a band of soldiers.]