from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Procatarctic \Pro`cat*arc"tic\, a. [Gr. ? beginning beforehand.
fr. ? to begin first; ? before + ? to begin; ? intens. + ? to
begin: cf. F. procatarctique. ] (Med.)
Beginning; predisposing; exciting; initial. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
Note: The words procatarctic causes have been used with
different significations. Thus they have been employed
synonymously with prime causes, exciting causes, and
predisposing or remote causes.
[1913 Webster]
The physician inquires into the procatarctic
causes. --Harvey.
[1913 Webster]