cata-

1.
a prefix meaning “down,” “against,” “back,” occurring originally in loanwords from Greek (cataclysm; catalog; catalepsy); on this model, used in the formation of other compound words (catagenesis; cataphyll).
Also, cat-, cath-, kata-.
Origin
< Greek kata-, combining form of katá down, through, against, according to, towards, during
British Dictionary definitions for cata-

cata-

prefix
1.
down; downwards; lower in position: catadromous, cataphyll
2.
indicating reversal, opposition, degeneration, etc: cataplasia, catatonia
Word Origin
from Greek kata-, from kata. In compound words borrowed from Greek, kata- means: down (catabolism), away, off (catalectic), against (category), according to (catholic), and thoroughly (catalogue)
Word Origin and History for cata-

word-forming element from Latinized form of Greek kata-, before vowels kat-, from kata "down from, down to." Its principal sense is "down," but occasionally it has senses of "against" (catapult)or "wrongly" (catachresis). Also sometimes used as an intensive or with a sense of completion of action (catalogue). Very active in ancient Greek, this prefix is found in English mostly in words borrowed through Latin after c.1500.

cata- in Medicine

cata- pref.

  1. Down: catabolism.

  2. Reverse; backward; degenerative: cataplasia.