n.
Pronunciation: ' ka-t ə - ˌ ner- ē , - ˌ ne-r ē , esp Brit k ə - ' t ē -n ə -r ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -nar · ies
Etymology: New Latin catenaria, from Latin, feminine of catenarius of a chain, from catena
Date: 1788
1 : the curve assumed by a cord of uniform density and cross section that is perfectly flexible but not capable of being stretched and that hangs freely from two fixed points
2 : something in the form of a catenary
– catenary adjective