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Glite Dictionary
catabatic

catabatic

9.9
A cold wind that moves down a slope, usually at night
  • adjective
  • /ˌkætəˈbætɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : catabático
  • The catabatic breeze swept down the valley, bringing cooler air to the lower altitudes.

Examples

  • At dusk, the catabatic winds began to blow, indicating a significant temperature drop in the region.

  • Soon the air was chilly, but chill air must still lift over hills, over soaring heights, because of catabatic convection flow.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • During the night, the catabatic winds caused a drop in temperature as they flowed down the mountain slopes.

Synonyms

katabatic
vscatabatic
  • Specialized
9.9

A cold wind that moves down a slope, often at night

has identical meaning but differs only in spelling

Compounds

catabatic wind
  • Specialized
9.3

A strong wind that blows when cold, heavy air flows down from high ground like a mountain or plateau

Surface Forms

catabatic positive
catabatical comparative
catabaticest superlative

Morphology

catabatic = catabasis (opaque) = catabasis + ic

Although analyzable historically (cata- 'down' + a base meaning descent), the base word and combining elements are rare and not recognizable to an average B1 learner, so the meaning is not directly derivable.

Etymology

Catabatic comes from Greek parts cata- meaning 'down' and -batic from a root meaning 'to go' or 'descent'. So a catabatic wind is literally air that 'goes down' a slope, often cold air flowing from high ground at night.