καταλύω

Ancient Greek

Etymology

From κατά + λύω

Pronunciation

• (Classical): IPA: [katalʉː́ɔː]
• (Koine): IPA: [katalˈyːo̞ː]
• (Byzantine): IPA: [katalˈyo]

Verb

καταλύω

1. I destroy

   καὶ τὴν ὑμετέραν καταλῦσαι δύναμιν (Isocrates, De bigis, 40.8-9)

   to destroy our (city's) might

2. I abolish, I do away with

   Αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἡμεῖς δὶς ἤδη τὴν δημοκρατίαν ἐπείδομεν καταλυθεῖσαν καὶ δὶς τῆς ἐλευθερίας ἀπεστερήθημεν (Isocrates, In Lochitem, 10.2-4)

   twice we ourselves have already seen our democracy abolished and twice we have lost our freedom

3. I deprive someone of their authority

   τοὺς τυράννους καταλύσας͵ καὶ τοὺς βαρβάρους καταπολεμήσας (Plutarchus, Timoleon, 39.5)

   having overthrown the tyrants and fought the barbarians

4. I put an end to something

   καταλῦσαι τὸν βίον (to die)

5. (for animals) I unyoke, I unharness

   ἄλλ' εἴπ', ἤ σφωιν καταλύσομεν ὠκέας ἵππους (Homer, Od., 4.28)

   but, tell us, shall we unharness their fast horses?

6. I take down something hung or someone hanged

   Τῶν ἀπαγχομένων καὶ καταλυομένων͵ μηδέπω δὲ τεθνηκότων ... (Hippocrates, Aphorismoi)

   about those who were hanged and taken down but have not died

7. I stay somewhere for one night, I find a lodgement

   (Θεμιστοκλῆς) ἀναγκάζεται κατά τι ἄπορον παρὰ Ἄδμητον τὸν Μολοσσῶν βασιλέα ὄντα αὐτῷ οὐ φίλον καταλῦσαι (Thucydides Hist., 1.136)

   (Themistocles) being in a difficult position had to seek shelter from Admetos, the king of Molossi, though the latter was not a friend of his

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Greek

Etymology

From Ancient Greek καταλύω, from κατά + λύω

Pronunciation

• IPA: [ka.taˈli.o]

Verb

καταλύω (katalýo)    simple past:  κατέλυσα

1. I abolish, I break down
2. I stay (usually for one night)
3. (chemistry) I catalyse
4. (religious terminology) I eat a specific food during a religious celebration or fast

Derived terms

• κατάλυση
• καταλύτης
• κατάλυμα