Cathead

( Naut.) A large square piece of timber, one end of which is fastened upon the forecastle, and the other end projects beyond the bow, so as to keep the anchor clear of the ship when it is being drawn up by a tackle. -A large variety of apple. Cathedra, n. [Gr. and Lat., a seat.] In a general sense, a chair; more particularly, a profe or's chair, or a preacher's pulpit; and is also used for a bishop's seat or throne in a church. Hence, to speak ex cathedra , is to speak with authority, as a bishop from his throne. Cathedral, n. [Fr. cathédrale ; Sp. catedral.] A a maritime city of Brazil, prov. Sta. Cat her in a, 520 m.S. W. of Rio de Janeiro; Lat. 27° 36′ S., Lon. 48° 40 W. It has a good harbor, and manufactures of coarse linen stuff, and earthenware. Pop . about 6,000. Catherine-wheel, n . ( Arch . ) A circular window, or portion of a window, frequently found in cathedrals and churches built in accordance with the Gothic style of architecture. When the entire window is circular in form, it is generally found at the E. end or in the gables of the transepts. In some of the French churches, windows of this description are found of great diameter, divided into compartments by stone tracery elaborately Fig . 540. CATHERINE-WHEEL. (Church of Quimper, France.) chiselled into a variety of forms, and sometimes by shafts radiating from a circular centre. The name is taken from the instrument on which St. Catharine ( q . v . ) suffered torture. (Pyrotechny.) A kind of revolving fire-work. Cath'eter, n. [Gr. katheter , from kathiemi , to let down.] (Surg.) A fistulous instrument, made of different lengths, either of silver or elastic material, and used for the purpose of drawing off the contents of the bladder when the powers of nature are unable to empty the organ, or there is some impediment in the pa age. Cathetom'eter, n . [Gr. kathetos , vertical height, and metron , measure.) An instrument for measuring differences of vertical heights, especially the rise and fall of liquid columns in gla tubes.