How Do You Spell CATACORNERED?

Pronunciation: [kˈate͡ɪkˌɔːnəd] (IPA)

The word "catacornered" (often spelled "cater-cornered" or "catty-cornered") means positioned diagonally across something. The phonetic transcription for this word is /kætəˈkɔrnrd/. The prefix "cat-" means "diagonal," while the root word "cornered" refers to the placement of the object. The spelling of the word can vary, depending on regional dialects, but the pronunciation remains the same. It's important to note that while this word is not commonly used in everyday language, it can add a touch of sophistication to one's communication.

CATACORNERED Meaning and Definition

1. Catacornered, also spelled catty-cornered or kitty-cornered, is an adjective that refers to something positioned diagonally or obliquely across from something else. The term is predominantly used in North American English.

   The word typically has two main applications. Firstly, it can describe a physical arrangement where one object or structure is situated at an angle or diagonal to another. For example, a house may be situated catacornered to a street intersection, meaning it is positioned diagonally across from it. Similarly, a table may be placed catacornered in a room, forming an oblique angle with the walls. In this context, the term emphasizes the diagonal relationship between the objects, highlighting their non-parallel arrangement.

   Secondly, catacornered can also describe a direction or movement that is diagonal or oblique to something else. For instance, if someone is walking catacornered across a field, it means they are traversing it diagonally rather than moving directly from one point to another. This usage emphasizes the non-conventional or indirect path taken.

   The term catacornered is derived from the words "cater," meaning across, and "cornered," describing an angle or corner. It has a slang version, "cattywampus," which carries the same meaning but is considered less formal. Overall, catacornered is a versatile word utilized to describe a diagonal arrangement or direction, adding precision to the description and emphasizing the oblique relationship between two objects.

Common Misspellings for CATACORNERED

• xatacornered
• vatacornered
• fatacornered
• datacornered
• cztacornered
• cstacornered
• cwtacornered
• cqtacornered
• caracornered
• cafacornered
• cagacornered
• cayacornered
• ca6acornered
• ca5acornered
• catzcornered
• catscornered
• catwcornered
• catqcornered
• cataxornered
• catavornered

Etymology of CATACORNERED

The word "catacornered" (also spelled as "catercornered" or "catty-cornered") is derived from several older terms. It combines the Middle French word "cata" (meaning diagonal or oblique) and the Middle English word "corne" (meaning corner or angle). The term was originally used to describe something positioned diagonally opposite or at an angle, particularly when referring to buildings or structures. Over time, the word evolved and became predominantly used in American English to describe something situated diagonally across from something else.