[a. L. catasta scaffold, stage for selling slaves, etc., also an engine of torture. According to Lewis and Short, f. Gr. κατάστασις settling, putting down, fixed state, etc. (? Thence It. catasta funeral-pile, Pg. catasta stall in which slaves are set for sale).]
a. Hist. A block on which slaves were exposed for sale. b. Hist. A stage or bed of torture used in early Christian times. † c. Humorously or affectedly used for the stocks (obs.).
1650. A. B., Mutat. Polemo, 12. What will not money do with a Scot, (now their Catasta is in readiness;) what will not a Scot do for money?
1664. Butler, Hud., II. I. 20/238. In close Catasta shut [ed. 1694 401 note, Catasta is but a pair of Stocks in English].
1685. J. Scott, Chr. Life (1747), III. 91. How could they have sung in the midst of Flames, smiled upon Racks, triumphed upon Wheels and Catastaes.
1853. Kingsley, Hypatia, I. xiii. 277 (Hoppe). Standing an hour on the catasta to be handled from head to foot in the minimum of clothing.
