How Do You Spell CATER CORNERED?

Pronunciation: [kˈe͡ɪtə kˈɔːnəd] (IPA)

Cater cornered is a term used to describe something that is situated diagonally opposite to another object or direction. The correct spelling of this term is "cater-cornered," with the first syllable pronounced as "Kay-ter" and the second syllable as "kor-nered." IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈkeɪ.tər ˈkɔr.nərd/. This American English phrase is derived from the French word "quatre," which means four, and "corner." In British English, the equivalent term is "diagonally opposite."

CATER CORNERED Meaning and Definition

1. The term "cater cornered" refers to a specific position or arrangement of objects, particularly in relation to corners or angles. It is commonly used to describe when something is diagonally opposite or situated at an oblique angle, often in reference to two adjacent corners or corners of a rectangular space.

   Derived from the phrase "catercorner" or "cater-cornered," the term originated from the Old French word "quatre" meaning "four" and the English word "corner." It implies a placement or direction that deviates from the typical perpendicular arrangement of items.

   In practical terms, "cater cornered" can describe the positioning of various objects such as furniture, buildings, or streets that are situated diagonally opposite to one another. For instance, if two buildings are positioned diagonally across from each other on a street corner, they can be considered cater cornered. Similarly, if a sofa is placed diagonally in the corner of a room, it is also cater cornered.

   The term is widely used to provide a spatial description of the relative position or alignment of objects, emphasizing the diagonal arrangement that is different from the usual parallel or perpendicular orientations. It adds variety and visual interest to the arrangement of objects, making it a useful term to convey diagonal relationships or angles within a given context.

Common Misspellings for CATER CORNERED

• catercornered
• catercornerrd
• catercoarnered
• catercorenered
• catercorneread
• catorcornered
• Canter Cornered

Etymology of CATER CORNERED

The term "cater cornered" is also spelled as "cater-cornered" or "catty-cornered". Its etymology is unclear, but it likely derives from a combination of the words "cater" and "corner".

The word "cater" originated from the Old French word "acater", meaning "to provide food" or "to make provisions". Over time, it evolved to mean "to supply" or "to serve", which is relevant to the concept of catering to a particular direction or angle.

The word "corner" comes from Old French "corner" and Latin "cornu", both meaning "corner" or "angle". It refers to the intersection of two lines or surfaces, generally forming a right angle.

When combined, "cater cornered" refers to an object or location situated diagonally across from something else, typically at the opposite corner.