| catacomb |
(usu. pl.) an underground burial tunnel, lined by recesses for the tombs. [2 definitions] |
| catafalque |
a raised platform on which a dead body, usu. in a coffin, rests during or prior to an elaborate funeral. |
| catalepsy |
a condition, often associated with epilepsy and schizophrenia, in which the body becomes numb and the limbs rigid, and the victim loses consciousness or fails to respond to external stimuli. |
| catalo |
variant of cattalo. |
| catalog |
a systematic, usu. annotated, list of book titles, items on display, merchandise, or the like that is available in or from a source such as a library, retail store, or mail order merchandiser. [5 definitions] |
| catalogue raisonné |
reasoned catalog (French); a listing of books, art works, or the like, with explanatory notes; descriptive catalog. |
| catalpa |
any of several deciduous shade trees that have broad leaves and bear clusters of white flowers and long slender pods. |
| catalysis |
the introduction or intervention of a substance that causes or speeds up a chemical reaction without being affected itself. [2 definitions] |
| catalyst |
a substance that produces or speeds up a chemical reaction without being affected itself. [2 definitions] |
| catalytic converter |
an antipollution device on automobiles that consists of a chemical filter connected to the exhaust system. |
| catalyze |
to bring about or change, as a catalyst. |
| catamaran |
a boat, usu. a sailboat, with parallel twin hulls. |
| catamount |
any of various wildcats, such as the mountain lion, cougar, or panther. |
| cataphoresis |
electrophoresis. |
| cataplasia |
degeneration of cells or tissue. |
| catapult |
an ancient military machine used to hurl missiles such as large stones, esp. at fortifications. [5 definitions] |
| cataract |
a large waterfall. [3 definitions] |
| catarrh |
inflammation of mucous membranes in the nose and throat, accompanied by secretions and discharge. |
| catastrophe |
a calamity with widespread effects; disaster. [3 definitions] |
| catastrophic |
causing destruction, devastation, or very great distress; ruinous; disastrous. [2 definitions] |
| catatonia |
a disorder, esp. of schizophrenia, characterized by rigidity of the muscles, mental stupor, and muteness; catalepsy. |