词缀cata的含义为down，是含义为up的反义前缀

具体示例有：

1.cataclysm

  n.sudden and violent change 大变动，突变 *cate(=completely),clysm(=wash)

  例句：The tearing down of the Berlin Wall graphically represented the cataclysm sweeping Eastem Europe in the post-Cold War era.柏林墙的推倒是后冷战时代席卷东欧的社会大变动的生动体现。

2.catalogue

  n.lists of names set down 目录 （描述的很详细） *cata(=completely),log (=speech)

  例句：No catalogue of Afrcan literature existed before Jansen created this record.在詹森创意造此记录之前，根本不存在关于非洲文学的目录。

3.catalyst

  n. a combination which starts a reaction 催化剂；触媒 （使释放出来）*cata(=completely),lys(=loose)

  例句：The involvement of other countries is a catalyst that will make a lasting peace possible in the tormer Yugoslavia.其他国家的介入是前南斯拉夫实现永久和平的催化剂。

4.catapult

  n.an ancient apparatus for hurling stones（古代用的）石弩 *cata (=away),pult (=toss,hurl)

  例句：A catapult was used in ancient wars.石弩曾被应用于古代战争中。

5.cataract

  n. a large waterfall;a clouding of the lens of the eye 大瀑布；白内障 *cata(=down),ract (=break)

  例句：She had an operation to clear up a cataract in her left eye.她做一个手术，以去除左眼的白内障。

6.catastrophe

  n.a moment of tragedy 灾祸，大灾难 （面临恶运） *cat (=completely),stroph(=turn)

  例句：The Johnstown flood was a catastrophe.约翰郡灌水是一场巨大的灾难。

7.catharsis

  n. outlet for strong emotion;emptying of the bowels 情感宣泄；精神净化 *cat<cata(=completely,away),hars (=pure)

  例句：Her diary was her only catharsis.写日记是她唯一的感情宣泄方式。

8.category

  n.类；种；部门 （当作一集体->看成一个集体）《cat-(down)+egory(assembly 会议)》

详细解释：

汉：来源于希腊语，意为"down",是意为"up"ANA的为反义前缀。此外，cata还有"away,completely,against,throughout,backward,fully"等含有，在元音字母和辅音字母h前，cata的a脱落，变为cat。

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

来源：

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