# katabasis

> English word · Noun · IPA /kəˈtæbəsɪs/

## Definitions
1. A mytheme or trope in which the hero embarks on a journey to the underworld.
2. Any journey downwards or fall.
3. A retreat, especially a military one.
4. A journey from the interior of a country to the coast.
5. The presence of downward (drainage or katabatic) winds.

## Etymology
From Ancient Greek κατάβασις (katábasis), from verb καταβαίνω (katabaínō, from κατά (katá, “downwards”) + βαίνω (baínō, “go”)).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/katabasis