— catabolic /kat'euh bol"ik/ , adj. — catabolically , adv.
/keuh tab"euh liz'euhm/ , n. Biol., Physiol.
destructive metabolism; the breaking down in living organisms of more complex substances into simpler ones, with the release of energy (opposed to anabolism ).
[ 1875-80; katabol ( é ) a throwing down ( kata- CATA- + bolé a throw; cf. katabállein to throw down) + -ISM ]