n.
Pronunciation: ' ka-th ə -t ə r, ' kath-t ə r
Function: noun
Etymology: Late Latin, from Greek kathet ē r, from kathienai to send down, from kata- cata- + hienai to send ― more at JET
Date: 1601
: a tubular medical device for insertion into canals, vessels, passageways, or body cavities usually to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage open ― compare BALLOON CATHETER