{ } a. [ Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; to cleanse, fr. &unr_; pure; akin to F. chaste. ] 1. (Med.) Cleansing the bowels; promoting evacuations by stool; purgative. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or pertaining to the purgative principle of senna, as cathartic acid. [ 1913 Webster ]

See catherine wheel. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. catharista, fr. Gr. &unr_; clean, pure. ] One aiming at or pretending to a greater purity of like than others about him; -- applied to persons of various sects. See Albigenses. [ 1913 Webster ]