*SET-U

English word origin

Etymology of kata

From Japanese 型 (literally “pattern, model”). In English use since the 1950s.

2 source sectionsExtended source reportWiktionary original ↗
In this entry · 2 source sections

The source etymologies

Wiktionary via Kaikki / Wiktextract

The source reports below are imported and unreviewed by *SET-U. Separate numbered origins and differing source variants are preserved; agreement within this extraction is not independent corroboration.

Source etymology 1

Original entry ↗
noun

Any of a sequence of positions and movements used in many martial arts. · A short programming exercise to improve one's skills through practice and repetition.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

From Japanese 型 (literally “pattern, model”). In English use since the 1950s.

Relationships mentioned by the source

These are extracted mentions, not a timeline or a verified sequence of immediate parents.

  • Borrowed-form mention型ja
Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

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      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ja",
        "3": "型",
        "sc": "Jpan",
        "lit": "pattern, model"
      },
      "expansion": "Japanese 型 (literally “pattern, model”)"
    }
  ],
  "links": [
    [
      "型",
      "型#Japanese"
    ]
  ],
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  "lexical": [
    {
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      ],
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Source etymology 2

Original entry ↗
adv

In a direction analogous to down, but along the additional axis added by the fourth dimension.

noun

Ellipsis of kata thermometer. · A drop (in temperature).

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

From Ancient Greek κατά (katá, “downwards”). Compare cata-.

Relationships mentioned by the source

These are extracted mentions, not a timeline or a verified sequence of immediate parents.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

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    {
      "name": "bor",
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        "1": "en",
        "2": "grc",
        "3": "κατά",
        "4": "",
        "5": "downwards"
      },
      "expansion": "Ancient Greek κατά (katá, “downwards”)"
    }
  ],
  "links": [
    [
      "κατά",
      "κατά#Ancient_Greek"
    ],
    [
      "cata-",
      "cata-#English"
    ]
  ],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "adv",
      "glosses": [
        "In a direction analogous to down, but along the additional axis added by the fourth dimension."
      ],
      "tags": [],
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      "glosses": [
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      ],
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Where this record stops

This page does not supply an independently verified sound-change sequence, first-use manuscript or complete family tree unless a cited analysis explicitly establishes one. Missing detail here is a limit of this record—not a claim that humanity knows nothing more.

An older meaning does not determine what a word must mean today. Follow the sources, preserve disagreements, and keep ancestry separate from interpretation.

Contribute located evidence for kata →

Source and snapshot

Imported from Wiktionary contributors; extracted by Tatu Ylonen / Wiktextract / Kaikki.org. Selected fields are reformatted and grouped; wording, source identity and etymology sections are retained. CC-BY-SA-4.0 applies to the imported source material.

Dump: 2026-10-01 · Extracted: 2026-10-30. These are snapshot dates, not the word’s first attestation or the page’s revision date.

Source entry and bibliography ↗Wiktionary revision history ↗Acquisition and rights ledger
Machine-source provenance
Source SHA-256
5ff2c072f8099f2d2ce484bd6957bf179f046d2ad37bc36555edf8bb84cb5291
Import run
73216b9a9b78ed3830994bf853103716f5a4dc57099e371e9f8fdc468facca26
Permanent entry ID
w-a2F0YQ