katabasis

[kuh-tab-uh-sis]

noun

plural

katabases 

1. a march from the interior of a country to the coast, as that of the 10,000 Greeks after their defeat and the death of Cyrus the Younger at Cunaxa.

2. a retreat, especially a military retreat.

katabasis

/ kəˈtæbəsɪs /

noun

1. the retreat of the Greek mercenaries of Cyrus the Younger, after his death at Cunaxa, from the Euphrates to the Black Sea in 401–400 _bc under the leadership of Xenophon: recounted in his Anabasis Compare anabasis

2. literary,  a retreat

Word History and Origins

Origin of katabasis¹

1830–40; < Greek katábasis a going down, descent, equivalent to kataba- (stem of katabaínein to go down) + -sis -sis. See kata-, basis

Word History and Origins

Origin of katabasis¹

C19: from Greek: a going down, from katabainein to go down

Example Sentences

In “Katabasis,” we’re once again treated to the power of Kuang’s mind.

From Los Angeles Times

Like “Babel,” which relied on Kuang’s knowledge of linguistics, “Katabasis” is rich and textured because of her knowledge of the subject, her deep familiarity with its shape and philosophy.

From Los Angeles Times

Also like “Babel,” “Katabasis” revolves around the dark inequities cracking the foundations of a fictional department in an Oxbridge school, a place people would kill to get into and then die in while they’re there.

From Los Angeles Times

A warning: The nesting doll of literary references in “Katabasis” will be a delight to some and impenetrable to others.

From Los Angeles Times

But generally, “Katabasis” is a more mature and less showy novel than Kuang’s earlier works.

From Los Angeles Times