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The doctrine that the geological changes in the earth's crust have been caused by the sudden action of violent physical causes; -- opposed to the doctrine of uniformism.

One who holds the theory or catastrophism.

A light-colored, sprightly American wine from the Catawba grape.

; sing. Catawba. (Ethnol.) An appalachian tribe of Indians which originally inhabited the regions near the Catawba river and the head waters of the Santee.

the notes of other birds, but less perfectly. Its note resembles at times the mewing of a cat.

A small sailboat, with a single mast placed as far forward as possible, carring a sail extended by a graff and long boom. See Illustration in Appendix.

A sound like the cry of a cat, such as is made in playhouses to express dissatisfaction with a play; also, a small shrill instrument for making such a noise. Upon the rising of the curtain. I was very much surprised with the great consort of catcalls which was exhibited. Addison.

pecially with the hand; to grasp (anything) in motion, with the effect of holding; as, to catch a ball.

another crop or intermediate between two crops in ordinary rotation in point of time. -- Catch"- crop`ping, n.

A short expressive title used for abbreviated book lists, etc.

A cistern or vault at the point where a street gutter discharges into a sewer, to oatch bulky matters which would not pass readly throught the sewer. Knight.

meadow irrigated by water from a spring or rivulet on the side of hill.

Capable of being caught. [R.]

A dich or drain along the side of a hill to catch the surface water; also, a ditch at the side of a canal to catch the surplus water.

One who, or that which, catches.

viscid secretion to which small insects adhere. The species of Silene are examples of the catchfly.

The act of seizing or taking hold of Catching bargain (Law), a bargain made with an heir expectant for the purchase of his expectancy at an inadequate price. Bouvier.

A surface of ground on which water may be caught and collected into a reservoir.

Made or contrived for getting small sums of money from the ignorant or unwary; as, a catchpenny book; a catchpenny show. -- n.

A bailiff's assistant.