[kah-tuh-kah-nuh; Japn. kah-tah-kah-nah] 
| the more angular, less commonly used of the two Japanese syllabaries. |
| ka·ta·ka·na (kä'tä-kä'nä) n. A relatively angular kana used for writing foreign words or official documents, such as telegrams. [Japanese : kata, one + kana, kana; see kana.] |
katakana Japanese
The square-formed Japanese kana syllabary. Katakana is mostly used to write foreign names, foreign words, and loan words as well as many onomatopeia, plant and animal names.
(2001-03-18)
təˈkɑ