adjective, adverb Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. cater-cornered. adjectivea variant of cater-cornered adj., adv.1838, earlier cater-cornered (1835, American English), from now-obsolete cater "to set or move diagonally" (1570s), from Middle French catre "four," from Latin quattuor (see four). Cf. carrefour.