Main Entry:

cat·e·nary

Pronunciation:

\ˈka-tə-ˌner-ē, -ˌne-rē, especially British kə-ˈtē-nə-rē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural cat·e·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