Carolingian, kar-ō-lin′ji-an,adj.Same asCarlovingian(q.v.).
Carolus, kar′ol-us,n.a gold coin of the time of Charles I.—adj.Car′oline, belonging to the time of Charles. [L.Carolus, Charles.]
Carom, kar′om,n.an abbreviation forCarambole, the same asCannonin billiards.
Carotid, ka-rot′id,adj.relating to the two great arteries of the neck. [Gr.karōtides—karos, sleep, the ancients supposing that deep sleep was caused by compression of them.]
Carouse, kar-owz′,n.a drinking-bout: a noisy revel.—v.i.to hold a drinking-bout: to drink freely and noisily.—ns.Carous′al, a carouse: a feast;Carous′er, one who carouses.—adv.Carous′ingly. [O. Fr.carous, Fr.carrousse—Ger.gar aus, quite out!—that is, empty the glass.]
Carousel, kar-ōō′zel,n.a tilting match or tournament, to which were added games, shows, and allegorical representations. [Fr.]
Carp, kärp,v.i.to catch at small faults or errors (withat).—ns.Carp′er, one who carps or cavils;Carp′ing, cavilling: fault-finding.—adv.Carp′ingly. [Most prob. Scand., Ice.karpa, to boast, modified in meaning through likeness to L.carpĕre, to pluck, deride.]
Carp, kärp,n.a fresh-water fish common in ponds. [O. Fr.carpe—Low L.carpa, prob. Teut.]
Carpal, kär′pal,adj.pertaining to the wrist. [Gr.karpos, the wrist.]
Carpel, kär′pel,n.a modified leaf forming the whole or part of the pistil of a flower.—adj.Car′pellary. [Gr.karpos, fruit.]
Carpenter, kär′pent-ėr,n.a worker in timber as used in building houses, ships, &c.—v.i.to do the work of a carpenter.—ns.Car′penter-bee, a bee that excavates its nest in wood;Car′pentry, the trade or work of a carpenter, [O. Fr.carpentier—Low L.carpentarius—carpentum, a car, from root ofCar.]
Carpet, kär′pet,n.the woven or felted covering of floors, stairs, &c.—v.t.to cover with a carpet:—pr.p.car′peting;pa.p.car′peted.—ns.Car′pet-bag, a travelling-bag, so called because usually made of carpeting;Car′pet-bag′ger, one who comes to a place for political or other ends, carrying his whole property qualification for citizenship with him in his carpet-bag;Car′pet-beat′ing, the removing of dust from carpets by beating;Car′pet-bed′ding, a system of horticulture in which plants are arranged in mosaic or geometrical designs;Car′peting, material of which carpets are made: carpets in general;Car′pet-knight, one dubbed a knight by mere court favour, not on account of his military exploits—hence an effeminate person;Car′pet-mong′er(Shak.), an effeminate person;Car′pet-rod, one of the narrow rods used to keep a stair carpet in its place.—On the carpet, under discussion. [O. Fr.carpite(Fr.carpette)—Low L.carpeta, a coarse fabric made from rags pulled to pieces—L.carpĕre, to pluck.]
Carpolite, kär′po-līt,n.fruit petrified or converted into stone.—n.Carpol′ogy, the part of botany which treats of the structure of fruits and seeds. [Gr.karpos, fruit,lithos, a stone,logos, a discourse.]
Carrack, kar′rak,n.a large ship of burden, which is also fitted for fighting.—AlsoCar′ack. [O. Fr.carraque—Low L.carraca. Ety. dub.]
Carrageen, kar-ra-gēn′,n.Carrageen moss, or Irish moss—marine alga, common on the British coasts, used for making a highly digestible soup and a kind of blanc-mange, as well as size. [FromCarragheen, near Waterford in Ireland, where it is found abundantly.]
Carrat.Same asCarat.
Carraway.Same asCaraway.
Carriage, kar′ij,n.act or cost of carrying: a vehicle for carrying: behaviour: bearing: (Shak.) burden: (B.) baggage.—adj.Carr′iageable, that may be conveyed in carriages.—ns.Carr′iage-com′pany, or-peo′ple, people who keep their carriages;Carr′iage-drive, a road for carriages through parks, &c.;Carr′iage-horse, a horse that draws a carriage.—Carriage and pair, a turn-out of a carriage and two horses;Carriage free, tree of charge for carrying. [SeeCarry.]
Carrick-bend.
Carrick-bend, kar′ik-bend,n.(naut.), a kind of knot, formed on a bight by putting the end of a rope over its standing part, and then passing it. [Perh. conn. withCarrack, and the root ofBind.]
Carriole.SeeCariole.
Carrion, kar′i-un,n.the dead and putrid body or flesh of any animal: anything vile.—adj.relating to, or feeding on, putrid flesh.—n.Carr′ion-crow, a species of crow which feeds on carrion, small animals, &c. [Fr.carogne—Low L.caronia—L.caro,carnis, flesh.]
Carritch, kar′itch,n.(Scot.) a corrupted form of the wordcatechism.—n.Carr′iwitchet, a quibble.
Carronade, kar-un-ād′,n.a short cannon of large bore, first made atCarronin Scotland.
Carron-oil, kar′on-oil,n.a liniment composed of linseed-oil and lime-water. [From its use for burns atCarronIronworks in Stirlingshire.]
Carrot, kar′ut,n.a genus ofUmbelliferæ, having a tapering root of a reddish or yellowish colour: the root itself, which is edible and sweet.—adj.Carr′oty, carrot-coloured, applied to the hair. [Fr.carotte—L.carota.]
Carry, kar′i,v.t.to convey or bear: to lead or transport: to take by force: to effect: to behave or demean: (of money) to be sufficient for a certain purpose: to gain the election of a candidate: to get a bill passed by a majority.—v.i.(of a gun, &c.) to reach, indicating the range of its shot:—pr.p.carr′ying;pa.p.carr′ied.—n.the distance a golf-ball goes when struck till it touches the ground: range: the portage of a boat: land across which a boat has to be carried between one navigable stream and another: the position of 'carry arms,' &c.: (prov.) the sky, cloud-drift.—ns.Carr′ier, one who carries, esp. for hire;Carr′y-all, a light, four-wheeled, one-horsed carriage;Carr′ying, the act of one who carries;Carr′y-tale(Shak.), a tale-bearer.—Carry all before one, to bear down all obstacles;Carry away, to carry off: to excite the feelings: to transport;Carry off, to cause the death of: to gain, to win, as a prize: to cause to pass muster, to make to pass by assurance or dissimulation;Carry on, to promote: to continue: to behave in a certain fashion (a term of mild reprobation);Carry one's point, to overrule objections in favour of one's plan;Carry out, to accomplish fully: to carry out for burial;Carry out one's bat(cricket), to leave the wickets without having been put out;Carry over, to induce to join the other party;Carry the day, orCarry it, to be successful: to win the day;Carry through, to succeed in accomplishing;Carry too far, to exceed reasonable limits;Carry up, to continue a building to a certain height: to trace back;Carry weight, to possess authority: to have force.—Be carried, to be highly excited: to have the head turned. [O. Fr.carier,—Low L.carricāre, to cart—L.carrus, a car.]
Carse, kärs,n.in Scotland, a stretch of alluvial land along the banks of some rivers. [Scot.; perh. from an obsolete wordcar, a fen; cf. Dan.kjær.]
Cart, kärt,n.a two-wheeled vehicle without springs, used for farm purposes, and for conveying heavy loads.—v.t.to convey in a cart: to carry publicly in a cart as a punishment—formerly done to bawds.—ns.Cart′age, the act or cost of carting;Cart′er, one who drives a cart;Cart′-horse, a horse used for drawing a cart;Cart′-house, a shed for keeping carts;Cart′-load, as much as a cart can carry;Cart's-tail, the hind part of a cart;Cart′way, a road or way by which carts may pass;Cart′wright, a carpenter who makes carts;T′-cart, a four-wheeled open phaeton, seated for four, its ground-plan resembling a T—see alsoDog-cart,Mail-cart,Tax-cart, &c.—Put the cart before the horse, to reverse the natural order of things.—Village Cart, an uncovered two-wheeled carriage for one horse, with a low body and one seat;Whitechapel cart, orChapel cart, a light two-wheeled spring-cart much used by butchers in delivering goods to their customers. [Ety. uncertain; from A.S.cræt, or Ice.kartr.]
Carte, kärt,n.the fourth position of the wrist in fencing. [Fr.quart—L.quartus, fourth.]
Carte, kärt,n.a bill of fare: (Scot.), a playing-card: short forcarte-de-visite.—ns.Carte-blanche′, a blank paper, duly signed, and given to a person, to be filled up at his pleasure;Carte-de-visite′, a small photographic portrait pasted on a card;Cart′el, a challenge: an agreement for exchange of prisoners; a card with writing on it.—Have carte-blanche, to have a commission to act with full discretionary powers. [Fr.,—L.charta. SeeCard.]
Cartesian, kar-tē′zhi-an,adj.relating to the French philosopher RenéDescartes(1596-1650), or his philosophy.—Cartesian devil,diver, orbottle-imp, a scientific toy named after Descartes, illustrating the principle of specific gravity.
Carthamine, kär′tha-min,n.a dye obtained in crystals by a chemical process from safflower. [Low L.carthamus—Ar.qartum, saffron.]
Carthusian, kar-thū′zi-an,n.one of an order of monks founded by St Bruno in 1086, noted for their strictness: a scholar of the Charterhouse School.—adj.of or pertaining to the order. [L.Cartusianus—Catorissium,Chatrousse, a village in Dauphiné, near which their first monastery was founded.]
Cartilage, kär′ti-lāj,n.in vertebrate animals, a firm elastic substance, of a pearly whiteness, presenting to the unaided eye a uniform and homogeneous appearance: gristle.—adj.Cartilagi′nous, pertaining to or consisting of cartilage, gristly. [Fr.,—L.cartilago; cog. withcrates, Gr.kartalos.]
Cartography, kar-tog′ra-fi,n.the art of preparing charts or maps. [L.charta, chart, map, and Gr.graphia,graph-ein, to write.]
Cartomancy, kär′tō-man-si,n.a divination by playing-cards. [Low L.carta, a card, Gr.manteia, divination.]
Carton, kär′ton,n.a thin pasteboard, a box made from such: a small disc within the bull's-eye of the target, a shot that strikes this.—ns.Car′tonnage, pasteboard: the outer covering of a mummy;Car′ton-pierre′, statuary pasteboard, a kind of papier-maché. [Fr. SeeCartoon.]
Cartoon, kär-tōōn′,n.a preparatory drawing on strong paper to be transferred to frescoes, tapestry, &c.: any large sketch or design on paper, esp. a representation of current events in a comic paper.—v.t.to make a cartoon or working design: to caricature by a cartoon.—n.Cartoon′ist, one who makes cartoons. [Fr.carton(It.cartone), augmentative ofCarte.]
Cartouche, kär-tōōsh′,n.a case for holding cartridges: formerly a case containing bullets to be discharged from a mortar, but now merely a waterproof canvas case for holding the cartridges of a field battery, one to each ammunition-box: (archit.) an ornament resembling a scroll of paper with the ends rolled up: an oval figure on ancient Egyptian monuments or papyri enclosing characters expressing royal or divine names.—AlsoCartouch′. [Fr.,—It.cartoccio—L.charta, paper.]
Section of central-fire shot Cartridge.
Cartridge, kär′trij,n.a case made of paper, pasteboard, metal, &c., containing the charge for a gun—Blank′-car′tridgescontain powder only;Ball′-cartridgescontain a bullet as well.—ns.Car′tridge-bag, a bag of flannel, merino, &c., for holding a charge for a cannon;Car′tridge-belt, a belt having pockets for cartridges;Car′tridge-box, a small box for holding cartridges, carried by soldiers;Car′tridge-pā′per, a light-coloured, strong paper, originally manufactured for making cartridges. [A corr. ofCartouche.]
Cartulary, kär′tū-lar-i,n.a register-book of a monastery, &c.: one who kept the records: the place where the register is kept. [Low L.chartularium—L.chartula, a document—charta, paper.]
Carucate, kar′u-kāt,n.originally an amount of land such as one team of oxen could plough in a season.—n.Car′ucage, a tax on the carucate, first imposed by Richard I. in 1198. [Low L.carrucāta, ploughland—carruca, plough, from root ofCar.]
Caruncle, kar-unk′l,n.a small fleshy excrescence, as the wattles of the turkey-cock.—adjs.Carun′cular,Carun′culate,Carun′culous. [Fr.—L.caruncula.]
Carus, kä′rus,n.complete insensibility. [Gr.karos, stupor.]
Carve, kärv,v.t.to cut into forms, devices, &c.: to make or shape by cutting: to cut up (meat) into slices or pieces: to apportion or distribute: (Shak.) to speak with suavity.—v.i.to exercise the trade of a sculptor.—p.adj.Carv′en, carved.—ns.Carv′er, one who carves: a sculptor: a carving-knife;Carv′ing, the act or art of carving, a branch of sculpture usually performed on wood or ivory: the device or figure carved: the act or art of cutting up meat at table.—Carve out, to hew out: to gain by one's exertions.—Cut and carve, to refine. [A. S.ceorfan, to cut; Dut.kerven; Ger.kerben, to notch.]
Carvel, kär′vel,n.older form ofCaravel.—adj.Car′vel-built, as distinguished fromclinker-built(q.v. underClink).
Carvy, kär′vi′,n.Scotch form ofCaraway.
Caryatid, kar-i-at′id,n.a female figure used instead of a column to support an entablature:—pl.Caryat′ides.—adjs.Caryat′ic,Caryat′idal,Caryatidē′an,Caryatid′ic. [Gr.Karyatides.]
Caryophyllaceous, kar-i-ō-fi-lā′shi-us,adj.belonging to the natural orderCaryophyllaceæ;, applied esp. to flowers having five petals with long claws, as in the clove-pink. [Gr.karyophyllon, the clove-pink.]
Cascabel, kas′ka-bel,n.the whole rear part behind the base-ring of a cannon. [Sp.]
Cascade, kas-kād′,n.a waterfall: a trimming of lace or other material in a loose wavy fall.—v.i.to fall in cascades. [Fr.,—It.—L.cadĕre, to fall.]
Cascara, kas′ka-ra,n.theCascara sagrada, a Californian bark used as a tonic aperient: theCascara amarga, a bitter Honduras bark.—n.Cascarill′a, the aromatic bitter bark of the West IndianCroton Eleuteria. [Sp.]
Casco, kas′kō,n.a form of boat used at Manila for lading and unlading ships.
Case, kās,n.a covering, box, or sheath: a set: an outer coating for walls: in bookbinding, the boards and back, separate from the book: the frame in which a compositor has his types before him while at work.—v.t.to supply with a case.—n.Case′-bott′le, a bottle made to fit into a case with others.—v.t.Case′-hard′en, to convert the surface of certain kinds of malleable iron goods into steel, thereby making them harder, less liable to rust, and capable of taking on a better polish.—ns.Case′-hard′ening;Case′-knife, a large knife kept in a case;Case′maker, one who makes cases or covers for books;Case′ment, the case or frame of a window: a window that opens on hinges: a hollow moulding.—adj.Case′mented, having casements.—ns.Case′-shot, canister-shot, an artillery projectile for use at close quarters;Case′-worm, the caddice;Cas′ing, the act of the verbCase: an outside covering of any kind, as of boards, plaster, &c. [O. Fr.casse—L.capsa—capĕre, to take.]
Case, kās,n.that which falls or happens, event: particular state or condition—'in good case' = well off: subject of question or inquiry: an instance of disease: a person under medical treatment: a legal statement of facts: (gram.) the inflection of nouns, &c.—Case of conscience(seeConscience).—In any case, at all events: at any rate;In case, in the event that;In case to, in fit condition for;Make out one's case, to give good reasons for one's statements or position;Put the case, to suppose an instance: to take for example;The case, the fact, the reality. [O. Fr.cas—L.casus, fromcadĕre, to fall.]
Casein,Caseine, kā′sē-in,n.an organic substance, contained in milk and cheese.—adjs.Cā′sēic;Cā′sēous, pertaining to cheese. [Fr.,—L.caseus, cheese.]
Casemate, kās′māt,n.any bomb-proof vaulted chamber, even when merely used as quarters for the garrison: (orig.) a loopholed gallery, from which the garrison of a fort could fire upon an enemy who had obtained possession of the ditch.—adj.Case′mated. [Fr.; der. uncertain.]
Caseous.SeeCasein.
Casern, ka-sėrn′,n.a lodging for troops in a town: a barrack. [Fr.,—Sp.caserna—casa, a house.]
Cash, kash,n.coin or money: ready money.—v.t.to turn into or exchange for money: to pay money for.—ns.Cash′-account′, an account to which nothing is carried but cash: a form of account with a bank, by which a person is entitled to draw out sums as required by way of loan to a stipulated amount—also calledCash′-cred′it;Cash′-book, a book in which an account is kept of the receipts and disbursements of money;Cashier′, a cash-keeper: one who has charge of the receiving and paying of money;Cash′-pay′ment, payment in ready money;Cash′-rail′way, a mechanical device adopted in large shops and warehouses for the interchange of cash between the counters and the cash-desk.—Hard cash, ready money;Out of cash, orIn cash, without or with money: out of, or in, pocket. [A doublet ofCase, a box—O. Fr.casse, a box.]
Cashew, ka-shōō′,n.a spreading tree of no great height, in both the East and West Indies, the fruit of which is a kidney-shaped nut at the end of a pear-shaped fleshy stalk, the kernel of this nut and the fleshy stalk (called theCashew′-app′le) being both used as food. [Fr.acajou—Brazilianacajoba.]
Cashier, kash-ēr′,v.t.to dismiss from a post in disgrace: to discard or put away: to annul.—ns.Cashier′er, one who cashiers;Cashier′ing, a punishment for officers in the army and navy, severer than dismissal, inasmuch as it disqualifies from entering the public service in any capacity;Cashier′ment, dismissal. [Dut.casseren, to cashier—L.cassāre,cassus, void, empty.]
Cashmere, kash′mēr,n.a rich kind of shawl made from theCashmeregoat: any similar shawl.
Casino, kas-ē′nō,n.a room for public dancing: a card-game. [It.; from L.casa, a cottage.]
Cask, kask,n.a hollow round vessel for holding liquor, made of staves bound with hoops: a measure of capacity: (obs.) a casque,—v.t.to put in a cask. [Fr.casque—Sp.casco, skull, helmet, cask.]
Casket, kask′et,n.a little cask or case: a small case for holding jewels, &c.: (U.S.) a coffin. [Ety. uncertain; hardly a dim. ofCask.]
Casque,Cask, kask,n.a cover for the head: a helmet. [A doublet ofCask.]
Cassandra, kas-an′dra,n.a daughter of Priam, king of Troy, beloved by Apollo, who gave her the gift of prophecy, but not of being believed—hence any one who takes gloomy views of the political or social future.
Cassareep, kas′a-rēp,n.a sauce or condiment made from the juice of the cassava, the chief ingredient in the West Indian pepper-pot.
Cassation, kas-sā′shun,n.the act of making null or void: (French law) the act of annulling the decision of a court or judicial tribunal—henceCourt of Cassation, the supreme tribunal. [Low L.cassation-em—cassāre, to bring to nought.]
Cassava, kas-sä′va,n.the West Indian name of the manioc, and the starch produced from it, called Brazilian Arrowroot, or Tapioca.
Casserole, kas′e-rōl,n.a stew-pan: the outer part of several dressed dishes. [Fr.]
Cassia, kash′ya,n.a coarser kind of cinnamon—alsoCass′ia-bark: the tree which yields the foregoing: a fragrant plant mentioned in Ps. xlv. 8 (Heb.qeçî'ôth, prob. the Ind.orrisorcostus): a genus of shrubs of the bean family (Leguminosæ), the leaves of several species yielding senna, while the drug known as cassia fistula or purging cassia is derived from the pod ofCassia fistula, the bark of which is used in tanning. [L.casia—Gr.kasia—Heb.]
Cassimere, kas-i-mēr′,n.a twilled cloth of the finest wools.—AlsoKerseymere′. [Corr. ofCashmere.]
Cassino, kas-sē′no,n.a game at cards. [SeeCasino.]
Cassiopeia, kas-i-ō-pē′ya,n.a constellation in the northern hemisphere, near the North Pole, named after the mother of Andromeda in Greek mythology.
Cassiterite, ka-sit′e-rīt,n.a brown native tin dioxide. [L.cassiterum—Gr.kassiteros, tin.]
Cassock, kas′ok,n.a long loose black robe or outer coat, formerly in common wear, but now worn only by clergy and choristers: a shorter garment, usually of black silk, worn under the Geneva gown by Scotch ministers.—adj.Cass′ocked. [Fr.casaque—It.casacca, prob. from L.casa, a cottage, a covering. Some explain Fr.casaque,casaquin, It.casacchino, as from Ar.kazāyand, a padded jerkin.]
Cassolette, kas′ō-let,n.a censer: a perfume-box with perforated lid. [Fr.,—Sp.cazoleta—cazo, a saucepan.]
Cassonade, kas-o-nād′,n.raw or unrefined sugar. [Fr.]
Cassowary, kas′ō-war-i,n.a genus of running birds, nearly related to the true ostrich, and nearer to the American rhea. [Malaykasuārīorkasavārī.]
Cast, kast,v.t.to throw or fling: to throw off, shed, drop: to throw down: to throw together or reckon: to mould or shape: (B.) to consider, to cast or throw up.—v.i.to warp:—pa.t.andpa.p.cast.—n.act of casting: a throw of anything, as the sounding-lead, a fishing-line: the thing thrown, esp. in angling: the distance thrown: a motion, turn, or squint, as of the eye: a chance: a mould: the form received from a mould: manner, stamp, or quality: a shade of colour, a degree of guilt, &c.: the assignment of the various parts of a play to the several actors: the company of actors to whom such have been assigned.—n.Cast′away, one cast away, an outcast.—adj.worthless, rejected.—adjs.Cast(B.),Cast′ed(Shak.), cast off.—ns.Cast′ing, act of casting or moulding: that which is cast: a mould;Cast′ing-net, a species of net for fishing;Cast′ing-vote, the voice or vote of the president of a meeting, by which he is enabled, when the other votes are equally divided, to cast the balance on the one side or the other;Cast′ing-weight, the weight which makes the balance cast or turn when exactly poised.—adj.Cast′-off, laid aside or rejected.—n.anything thrown aside.—n.Cast′-steel, steel that has been melted, cast into ingots, and rolled out into bars.—Cast about, to contrive, to look about, to search for, as game: (B.) to turn, to go round;Cast a nativity, to make an astrological calculation;Cast anchor, to moor a ship;Cast an eye,a glance, to look at;Cast a thing in one's teeth, to bring a reproach against some one;Cast away, to wreck, to waste;Cast down, to deject or depress in mind: to turn the eyes downward;Cast loose, to set loose or adrift;Cast up, to throw up, to bring up anything as a reproach.—Be cast(law), to be defeated.—The last cast, the last venture. [Scand.; as Ice.kasta, to throw.]
Castalian, kas-tā′li-an,adj.pertaining toCastalia, a fountain in Parnassus, sacred to Apollo and the Muses.
Castanets.
Castanet, kas′ta-net,n.a musical instrument of percussion in the form of two hollow shells of ivory or hard wood, which are bound together by a band fastening on the thumb, and struck by the fingers to produce a trilling sound in keeping with the rhythm of the music—much used in Spain as an accompaniment to dances and guitars. [Sp.castañeta—L.castanea, a chestnut.]
Caste, käst,n.a term applied chiefly to distinct classes or sections of society in India, and, in a modified sense, to social distinctions of an exclusive nature among other nations.—Lose caste, to descend in social rank. [A name given by the Portuguese to the classes of people in India; Port.casta, breed, race.—L.castus, pure, unmixed.]
Castellan,Castellated. SeeCastle.
Castigate, kas′tig-āt,v.t.to chastise: to correct: to punish with stripes.—ns.Castigā′tion, act of castigating: chastisement: severe punishment;Cas′tigātor, one who castigates.—adj.Cas′tigātory. [L.castigāre,-ātum, fromcastus, pure.]
Castilian, kas-til′yan,adj.andn.of or belonging toCastile, a native of Castile, or the language thereof, standard Spanish.—Castile soap, a hard soap made with olive-oil and soda.
Cast-iron. SeeIron.
Castle, kas′l,n.a fortified house or fortress: the residence of a prince or nobleman, or a large country mansion generally: anything built in the likeness of such: a defensive tower borne on an elephant's back: a large ship, esp. of war.—v.t.to enclose or fortify with a castle.—v.i.(chess) to bring the castle or rook up to the square next the king, and move the king to the other side of the castle.—n.Cas′tellan, governor or captain of a castle.—adj.Cas′tellated, having turrets and battlements like a castle.—n.Cas′tle-build′ing, the act of building castles in the air or forming visionary projects.—adj.Cas′tled, furnished with castles.—n.Cas′tle-guard, the guard for the defence of a castle.—Castles in the air, orin Spain, groundless or visionary projects.—The Castle, Dublin Castle, the seat of the viceroy and the executive—Castle influence, &c. [A.S.castel—L.castellum, dim. ofcastrum, a fortified place.]
Castor, kas′tor,n.the beaver: a hat made of its fur. [L.,—Gr.kastōr; cf. Sans.kasturi, musk.]
Castor, kast′or,n.a small wheel on the legs of furniture: a small vessel with perforated top for pepper, &c.—alsoCast′er. [FromCast.]
Castor-oil, kas′tor-oil,n.a medicinal oil obtained from a tropical plant, theRicinus communis. [Ety. dub.; prob. fromcastororcastoreum, the unctuous substance obtained from two pear-shaped glands in the beaver, formerly much used in midwifery.]
Castral, kas′tral,adj.belonging to the camp. [L.castra.]
Castrametation, kas-tra-me-tā′shun,n.the act or art of encamping. [L.castra, a camp,metāri,-atus, to measure off—meta, a boundary.]
Castrate, kas′trāt,v.t.to deprive of the power of generation, to remove the testicles, geld, emasculate: to take from or render imperfect.—adj.Cas′trated, expurgated.—ns.Castrā′tion, gelding, expurgation;Castrato(kas-trä′tō), a male singer castrated in boyhood so as to preserve a soprano or alto voice:—pl.Castra′ti. [L.castrāre,-ātum.]
Casual, kash′ū-al,adj.accidental: unforeseen: occasional.—n.a chance or occasional visitor, labourer, pauper, &c.—n.Cas′ualism, the belief that chance governs all things.—adv.Cas′ually, in a casual manner.—n.Cas′ualty, that which falls out: an accident: a misfortune: (pl.) losses of a military force by death, desertion, &c.: an incidental charge or payment.—Casualties of superiority, in the feudal law of Scotland, such emoluments arising to the superior as depend on uncertain events—those of non-entry, relief or composition, and escheat alone remaining, but considerably modified by the Conveyancing Act of 1874.—Casualty ward, the ward in a hospital in which accidents are treated;Casual ward, a ward set apart for the use of those who are only occasionally in destitution. [L.casualis—casus. SeeCase.]
Casuarina, kas-ū-ar-ēn′a,n.a genus of Australian trees having thread-like, jointed, pendent branches, with small toothed sheaths at the joints, like the horse-tails—theSwamp-oakandShe-oakbelong to it, and its wood is the well-knownBeef-wood.
Casuist, kaz′ū-ist,n.one who studies and resolves cases of conscience.—adjs.Casuist′ic,-al, relating to cases of conscience.—n.Cas′uistry, the science or doctrine of cases of conscience, or the reasoning which enables a man to decide in a particular case between apparently conflicting duties. [Fr.casuiste—L.casus. SeeCase.]
Casula, kas′ū-la,n.a chasuble.
Cat, kat,n.a common domestic animal kept to devour mice: a spiteful woman: a movable pent-house used for their protection by besiegers: a double tripod with six legs: a piece of wood tapering at each end, struck with theCat-stickin the game oftip-cat, this game itself: short for theCat-o'-nine′-tails, an instrument of punishment consisting of a whip with nine tails or lashes, with three or four knots on each, once used in the army and navy.—v.t.to raise the anchor to the cathead.—ns.Cat′amount, a common name in the United States for the cougar or puma—also calledPanther,Painter, andAmerican lion;Catamoun′tain, orCat o' mountain, a leopard, panther, or ocelot: a wild mountaineer.—adj.ferocious, savage.—adj.Cat-and-dog, used attributively for quarrelsome.—ns.Cat′-bird, an American bird of the thrush family, so called on account of the resemblance of its note to the mewing of a cat;Cat′-call, a squeaking instrument used in theatres to express dislike of a play: a shrill whistle or cry.—v.i.to sound a cat-call.—v.t.to assail with such.—adj.Cat′-eyed, having eyes like a cat: able to see in the dark.—n.Cat′gut, a kind of cord made from the intestines of animals, and used as strings for violins, harps, guitars, &c., the cords of clock-makers, &c.: the violin or other stringed instrument: a coarse corded cloth.—adj.Cat′-hammed, with thin hams like a cat's.—ns.Cat′head, one of two strong beams of timber projecting from the bow of a ship, on each side of the bowsprit, through which the ropes pass by which the anchor is raised;Cat′-hole, one of two holes in the after part of a ship, through which hawsers may pass for steadying the ship or for heaving astern;Cat′hood, state of being a cat or having the nature of a cat;Cat′kin, a crowded spike or tuft of small unisexual flowers with reduced scale-like bracts, as in the willow, hazel, &c.;Cat′-lap, any thin or poor drink.—adj.Cat′-like, noiseless, stealthy.—ns.Cat′ling, a little cat, a kitten: the downy moss on some trees, like the fur of a cat: (Shak.) a lute-string;Cat′mint, a perennial plant resembling mint, said to be so called from the fondness cats have for it;Cat's′-crā′dle, a game played by children, two alternately taking from each other's fingers an intertwined cord, so as always to maintain a symmetrical figure;Cat's′-eye, a beautiful variety of quartz, so called from the resemblance which the reflection of light from it bears to the light that seems to emanate from the eye of a cat;Cat's-foot, a plant, called alsoGround-ivy;Cat′-sil′ver, a variety of silvery mica;Cat's′-meat, horses' flesh, or the like, sold for cats by street dealers;Cat's′-paw(naut.), a light breeze: the dupe or tool of another—from the fable of the monkey who used the paws of the cat to draw the roasting chestnuts out of the fire;Cat's′-tail, a catkin: a genus of aquatic plants of the reed kind, the leaves of which are sometimes used for making mats, seating chairs, &c.: a kind of grass.—adj.Cat′-wit′ted, small-minded, conceited, and spiteful.—Catted and fished, said of an anchor raised to the cathead and secured to the ship's side.—Bell the cat(seeBell).—Care killed the cat, even with his proverbial nine lives.—Cheshire catsare proverbially notable for grinning, andKilkenny catsproverbially fight till each destroys the other.—Rain cats and dogs, to pour down heavily.—See which way the cat jumps, to watch how things are going to turn before committing one's self.—Turn the cat in the pan, to change sides with dexterity.—ForGib-cat,Tabby-cat,Tom-cat, see underGib,Tabby, &c. [A.S.cat; found also in Celt., Slav., Ar., Finn, &c.]
Cat, kat,n.an old name for a coal and timber vessel on the north-east coast of England.—adj.Cat′-rigged, having one great fore-and-aft mainsail spread by a gaff at the head and a boom at the foot, for smooth water only.
Catabolism.SeeKatabolism.
Catacaustic, kat-a-kaws′tik,adj.(geom.) belonging to caustic curves formed by reflection (seeCaustic). [Gr.kata, against, andCaustic.]
Catachresis, kat-a-krē′sis,n.(rhet.) a figure by which a word is used in a sense different from, yet analogous to, its own: a harsh or far-fetched metaphor.—adjs.Catachres′tic,-al.—adv.Catachres′tically. [L.,—Gr.katachrēsis, misuse.]
Cataclysm, kat′a-klizm,n.a flood of water: a deluge: great revolution.—adj.Cataclys′mic. [Gr.kataklysmos—kata, downward,klyzein, to wash.]
Catacomb, kat′a-kōm,n.a subterranean excavation used as a burial-place, esp. the famous Catacombs near Rome, where many of the early Christian victims of persecution were buried: any place built with crypt-like recesses for storing books, wine, &c.—adj.Cat′acumbal. [It.catacomba—Late L.catacumbas(prob. fromad catacumbas), prob. from Gr.kata, downward, andkymbē, a hollow.]
Catacoustics, kat-a-kows′tiks,n.the part of acoustics which treats of echoes or sounds reflected. [Gr.kata, against, andAcoustics.]
Catadioptric,-al, kat-a-di-op′trik, -al,adj.pertaining to instruments by which rays of light are both reflected and refracted. [SeeCatoptric.]
Catadromous, kat-ad′rom-us,adj.of fishes, descending periodically for spawning to the lower parts of a river or to the sea. [Gr.kata, down,dromos, running.]
Catafalque, kat-a-falk′,n.a temporary structure of carpentry representing a tomb or cenotaph placed over the coffin during a lying-in-state: a tomb of state, a funeral car.—AlsoCatafal′co. [Fr.,—It.catafalco. SeeBalconyandScaffold.]
Catalan, kat′al-an,adj.of or belonging toCataloniaor its language, a dialect of Provençal.—n.a native of Catalonia, or the language thereof.
Catalectic, kat-a-lek′tik,adj.incomplete: applied to a verse wanting one syllable at the end, or terminating in an imperfect foot. [Gr.katalēktikos, incomplete—katalēgein, to stop.]
Catalepsy, kat′a-lep-si,n.a state of more or less complete insensibility, with absence of the power of voluntary motion, and statue-like fixedness of the body and limbs.—adj.Catalep′tic. [Gr., fromkata, down,lambanō,lēpsomai, I seize.]
Catallactic, kat-al-ak′tik,adj.pertaining to exchange.—adv.Catallac′tically.—n.Catallac′tics, political economy as the science of exchanges. [Made up from Gr.katalassein, to exchange.]
Catalogue, kat′a-log,n.a list of names, books, &c.—v.t.to put in a catalogue:—pr.p.cat′aloguing;pa.p.cat′alogued.—v.t.Cat′aloguise. [Fr.—Late L.—Gr.katalogos, fromkata, down,legein, to choose.]
Catalpa, kat-al′pa,n.a genus of hardy trees native to the United States and Japan, marked by a low habit, profuse blossoms, and long cigar-like pendent pods.—The common Catalpa, known also as theBean-tree,Catawba,Indian bean, andCigar-tree, yields a durable wood; as also the western Catalpa orShawnee wood. [From the native Ind. name.]
Catalysis, ka-tal′i-sis,n.(chem.) the decomposition of a compound and the recomposition of its elements, by the presence of a substance which does not itself suffer change, as in fermentation.—adj.Catalyt′ic. [Gr.katalysis—kata, down,lyein, to loosen.]
Catamaran, kat′a-mar-an′, orkat-am′ar-an,n.a raft of three pieces of wood lashed together, the middle piece being longer than the others, and serving as a keel—on this the rower squats, and works a paddle—much used in the Madras surf: an old kind of fire-ship, long superseded; an ill-natured woman. [Tamil, 'tied wood.']
Catamenia, kat-a-mē′ni-a,n.the menstrual discharge.—adj.Catamē′nial. [Gr.katamēnios—kata, again,mēn,mēnos, a month.]
Catamite, kat′a-mīt,n.a boy kept for unnatural purposes—a corruption ofGanymede(q.v.).
Catamount.SeeCat.
Catapan, kat′a-pan,n.the governor of Calabria and Apulia for the Byzantine emperor. [Acc. to Littré, from Gr.katepanō tōn axiōmatōn, 'he who is placed over the dignities.']
Cataphonics, kat-a-fon′iks,n.the science of reflected sounds.—adj.Cataphon′ic. [Gr.kata, against,phonē, sound.]
Cataphract, kat′a-frakt,n.(Milton) a soldier in full armour. [Gr.kataphraktēs, a coat-of-mail—kata, inten., andphrass-ein, to enclose, protect.]
Cataphyllary, kat-a-fil′ar-i,adj.pertaining to such rudimentary scale-leaves as are found on various parts of plants, esp. underground.—n.Cataphyll′um. [Gr.kata, down,phyllon, leaf.]
Cataphysical, kat-a-fis′i-kal,adj.(rare) unnatural. [Gr.kata, down, against,physis, nature.]
Cataplasm, kat′a-plazm,n.a plaster or poultice. [Gr.kataplasma, a plaster—kata-plassein, to plaster over.]
Cataplexy, kat′a-plex-i,n.the kind of mesmeric sleep of animals under a sudden shock of terror—the state of 'shamming death.'—adj.Cataplec′tic. [Gr.kataplēssein, to strike down.]
Catapult, kat′a-pult,n.anciently an engine of war, resembling the ballista, for throwing stones, arrows, &c.: a small forked stick having an elastic string fixed to the two prongs, used by boys for throwing small stones.—adj.Catapul′tic.—n.Catapultier′. [L.catapulta—Gr.katapeltēs—kata, down,pallein, to throw.]
Cataract, kat′a-rakt,n.a great fall of water, water-spout, &c.: a waterfall or cascade: an opaque condition of the lens of the eye, painless, unaccompanied by inflammation, occasioning blindness, simply by obstructing the passage of the light. [L.cataracta—Gr.kata, down,arass-ein, to dash, to rush.]
Catarrh, kat-är′,n.a discharge of fluid from the inflammation of a mucous membrane, esp. of the nose, caused by cold in the head: the cold itself.—adjs.Catarrh′al,Catarrh′ous. [L.catarrhus—Gr.katarrhous—kata, down,rheēin, to flow.]
Catarrhine,Catarhine,kat′ar-īn,adj.pertaining to that one of the two divisions of Quadrumana, including all the Old-World monkeys, having a narrow partition between the nostrils. [Gr.kata, down,hris,hrinos, nose.]
Catasta, kat-äs′ta,n.a block on which slaves were exposed for sale: a stage or place for torture. [L.]
Catastasis, kat-as′tas-is,n.the part of the Greek drama in which the development of the action has reached its height: (rhet.) that part of a speech which states the subject to be discussed. [Gr.]
Catastrophe, kat-as′trō-fē,n.an overturning: a final event: an unfortunate conclusion: a calamity.—adj.Catastroph′ic—ns.Catas′trophism, the theory in geology that accounts for 'breaks in the succession' by the hypothesis of vast catastrophes—world-wide destruction of floras and faunas, and the sudden introduction or creation of new forms of life, after the forces of nature had sunk into repose;Catas′trophist, a holder of the foregoing, as opposed to theuniformitariantheory. [Gr.,kata, down,strephein, to turn.]
Catawba, ka-taw′ba,n.a light sparkling wine, produced from a grape of the same name, first found on the banks of theCatawbaRiver in Carolina.
Cat-bird.SeeCat.
Cat-call.SeeCat.
Catch, kach,v.t.to take hold of: to apprehend or understand: to seize after pursuit: to trap or ensnare: to take a disease by infection: to take up anything by sympathy or imitation.—v.i.to be contagious: to be entangled or fastened in anything;—pa.t.andpa.p.caught (kawt).—n.seizure: anything that seizes or holds: that which is caught: anything worth catching: a sudden advantage taken: a specially English form of musical composition, written generally in three or four parts, and in the canon form—originally synonymous with theround.—adj.Catch′able, that may be caught.—ns.Catch′er, one who catches;Catch′fly, a popular name of several plants belonging to the genusSilene, and ofLychnis Viscaria, whose glutinous stems often retain insects settling on them;Catch′ing, the action of the verb 'to catch:' a nervous or spasmodic twitching.—adj.infectious: captivating, attractive.—ns.Catch′ment-bās′in, a term applied to all that part of a river-basin from which rain is collected, and from which, therefore, the river is fed;Catch′penny, any worthless thing, esp. a publication, intended merely to gain money—alsoadj.;Catch′word, among actors, the last word of the preceding speaker—the cue: the word at the head of the page in a dictionary or encyclopædia: the first word of a page given at the bottom of the preceding page: any word or phrase taken up and repeated as the watchword or symbol of a party.—adj.Catch′y, attractive, deceptive, readily caught up, as an air, &c., fitful.—Catch at, to snatch at;Catch fire, to become ignited, to be inspired by passion or zeal;Catch hold of, to seize;Catch it, to get a scolding or the like;Catch me!an emphatic colloquial phrase implying that there is not the remotest possibility of my doing something suggested;Catch on, to comprehend: to catch the popular fancy;Catch out, to put a batsman out at cricket by catching the ball he has batted;Catch sight of, suddenly to get a glimpse of;Catch up, to overtake;Catch up, oraway, to lay hold of forcibly. [From O. Fr.cachier—Late L.captiāreforcaptāre, inten. ofcapĕre, to take. SeeChase.]
Catchpole,-poll, kach′pōl,n.a constable, petty officer of justice. [Through O. Fr. from Low L.cachepolus,chassipullus, one who chases fowls. SeeChaseandPullet.]
Catchup,Catsup. SeeKetchup.
Cate.SeeCates.
Catechise, kat′e-kīz,v.t.to instruct by question and answer: to question as to belief: to examine systematically, to take to task.—adjs.Catechet′ic,-al, relating to a catechism or oral instruction in the first principles, esp. of Christianity.—adv.Catechet′ically.—ns.Catechet′ics, the art or practice of teaching by question and answer: that part of theology which treats ofCatechē′sis, or primary oral instruction, as that given to catechumens;Cat′echiser;Cat′echising, an examination by questioning;Cat′echism, any compendious system of teaching drawn up in the form of question and answer;Cat′echist, one who catechises, a teacher of catechumens, a native teacher in a mission church.—adjs.Catechist′ic,-al,Catechis′mal, pertaining to a catechist or catechism. [L.catechismus, formed from Gr.katēchiz-ein,katēche-ein, to din into the ears—kata, down,ēchē, a sound.]
Catechu, kat′e-shoo,n.a substance used in tanning and dyeing, and medicinally as an astringent, obtained from the heart-wood of several East Indian trees, as the betel-nut, &c. [Tamil.]
Catechumen, kat-e-kū′men,n.one who is being taught the rudiments of Christianity: the appellation given in the early Christian Church to those converted Jews and heathens who had not yet received baptism, but were undergoing a course of training and instruction preparatory to it.—adj.Catechumen′ical.—adv.Catechumen′ically.—ns.Catechū′menship,Catechū′menism,Catechū′menate. [Gr.katēchoumenos, being taught, pr.p. pass. ofkatēche-ein, to teach.]
Category, kat′e-gor-i,n.what may be affirmed of a class: a class or order.—adjs.Categoremat′ic, capable of being used by itself as a term;Categor′ical, positive: absolute: without exception.—adv.Categor′ically, absolutely: without qualification: expressly.—n.Categor′icalness, the quality of being absolute and unqualified.—n.pl.Cat′egories(phil.), the highest classes under which objects of philosophy can be systematically arranged, understood as an attempt at a comprehensive classification of all that exists: in Kant's system, the root-notions of the understanding, the specific forms of thea priorior formal element in rational cognition (quantity,quality,relation,modality, &c.).—v.t.Cat′egorise, to place in a category or list: to class.—n.Categor′ist, one who categorises.—Categorical imperative, in the ethics of Kant, the absolute unconditional command of the moral law, irrespective of every ulterior end or aim—universally authoritative, belonging to the fixed law of nature—'Act from a maxim at all times fit for law universal.' [Gr.katēgoria,katēgoros, an accuser,kata, down, against,agora, assembly.]
Catelectrode, kat-ē-lek′trōd,n.a negative electrode or cathode. [Gr.kata, down, andElectrode.]
Catenary, kat-ē′nar-i,n.the curve formed by a flexible homogeneous cord (such as a chain), hanging freely between two points of support, and acted on by no other force than gravity.—adj.relating to a chain, like a chain—alsoCatenā′rian.—n.Catē′na, a chain or connected series, as inCatena Patrum, a chronological series of extracts from the Fathers on any doctrine of theology.—v.t.Cat′enāteto connect as in a chain.—n.Catenā′tion. [L.catenarius, pertaining to a chain—catēna, chain.]
Cater, kā′tėr,v.i.to provide food, entertainment, &c. (withfor).—ns.Cā′terer;Cā′teress;Cā′tering. [Lit. to act as acater, the word being orig. a substantive, and spelledcatour, an aphetised form ofacater,acatour. SeeAcater.]
Cateran, kat′er-an,n.a Highland reiver or freebooter, a robber or brigand generally. [Gael.ceathairne, peasantry, Ir.ceithern, a band of soldiers.]
Cater-cousin, kā′tėr-kuz′n,n.a term implying familiarity, affection, sympathy, rather than kindred. [More prob. conn. withCaterthanquatreorquarter.]
Caterpillar, kat′ėr-pil-ar,n.a grub that lives upon the leaves of plants. [Prob. O. Fr.chatepeleuse, 'hairy cat;'chate, a she-cat—L.catus,peleuse, hairy—L.pilosus,pilum.]
Caterwaul, kat′ėr-wawl,n.the shriek or cry emitted by the cat when in heat.—v.i.to make such a noise, to make any discordant sound: to behave lasciviously: to quarrel like cats.—n.Cat′erwauling. [The second part is prob. imit.]
Cates, kātz,n.pl.dainty food.
Catgut.SeeCat.
Catharist, kath′ar-ist,n.one professing a higher standard of purity in life and doctrine, a puritan: esp. a member of a Manichean heretical sect of the Middle Ages, which spread over the whole of southern and western Europe—confounded with the kindred sect of Paulicians, reaching the greatest numbers in southern France, where, as the Albigenses, they were ruthlessly stamped out by the Inquisition.—n.Cath′arism. [Gr.katharistai,katharizein, to purify.]
Cathartic,-al, kath-ärt′ik, -al,adj.having the power of cleansing the stomach and bowels: purgative.—v.t.Cath′arise, to render absolutely clean.—ns.Cathar′sis, evacuation of the bowels;Cathart′ic, a purgative medicine;Cathar′tin, the purgative principle of senna. [Gr.kathartikos, fit for cleansing,katharos, clean.]
Cathead.SeeCat.
Cathedral, kath-ēd′ral,n.the principal church of a diocese, in which is the seat or throne of a bishop.—adj.belonging to a cathedral.—n.Cathed′ra, a bishop's seat, the episcopal dignity—ex cathedra, from the chair, officially given forth.—adjs.Cathedral′ic,Cathedralesque′,Cathed′raled, vaulted like a cathedral.—n.Cathed′ralism, the cathedral system.—adj.Cathedrat′ic, promulgatedex cathedra, authoritative. [L.cathedra—Gr.kathedra, a seat.]
Catherine-wheel, kath′e-rin-hwēl,n.(archit.) an ornamented window or compartment of a window, of a circular form, with radiating divisions of various colours: (her.) a wheel set round with teeth: a kind of firework which in burning rotates like a wheel.—Catherine pear, a small and early variety of pear.—Turn Catherine-wheels, to make a series of somersaults sideways. [From StCatherineof Alexandria, whom legend makes to suffer martyrdom in the 4th century by torture on a wheel.]
Catheter, kath′e-tėr,n.a tube to be introduced through the urethra into the bladder to draw off the urine, or for injecting air or fluids into the Eustachian tube.—ns.Cath′eterism;Cathetom′eter, an instrument for measuring small differences of level of different liquids in tubes;Cath′etus, a straight line falling perpendicularly on another straight line or surface. [Gr.kathetos, perpendicular,kathetēr, fromkathienai, to send down.]
Cathisma, ka-thiz′ma,n.in Greek use, a portion of the psalter, there being altogether twenty cathismata: a troparion or short hymn used as a response. [Gr.,kathizein, to sit down.]
Cathode, kath-ōd′,n.the negative pole or electrode of a galvanic battery, as opposed toanode: the surface in contact with the negative pole: the object to be coated in electroplating—adj.Cath′odal. [Gr.kathodos, a going down,kata, down,hodos, a way.]
Cat-hole.SeeCat.
Catholic, kath′ol-ik,adj.universal: general, embracing the whole body of Christians: orthodox, as opposed toheterodoxandsectarian—applied esp. to the Christian Church before the great schism between the East and the West: liberal, the opposite of exclusive: relating to the name claimed by its adherents for the Church of Rome as the alleged sole visible representative of the church founded by Christ and His apostles—the characteristic marks of the Catholic Church beinguniversality,antiquity,unity: relating to the Roman Catholics.—n.an adherent of the R.C. Church.—v.t.Cathol′icise, to make Catholic.—ns.Cathol′icism,Catholic′ity, universality: liberality or breadth of view: the tenets of the R.C. Church;Cathol′icon, a universal remedy or panacea;Cathol′icos, the Patriarch of Armenia.—Catholic creditor(law of Scot.), one whose debt is secured over several or the whole subjects belonging to the debtor—e.g. over two or more heritable estates;Catholic emancipation, the relief of the Roman Catholics from certain vexatious penal regulations and restrictions, granted in 1829;CatholicorGeneral epistles, the name given to certain epistles in the canon addressed not to particular churches or individuals, but either to the Church universal or to a large and indefinite circle of readers—originally only 1 John and 1 Peter, but, as early as the 3d century, also James, Jude, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John;Catholic king, a title given specially to the king of Spain.—Old Catholics, the title assumed by a number of Catholics who at Munich protested against the new dogma of the personal infallibility of the pope in allex cathedrâdeliverances proclaimed by the Vatican Council in 1870—now a considerable communion or church in Germany and Switzerland. [Gr.katholicos, universal—kata, throughout,holos, the whole.]
Catiline, kat′il-īn,n.the type of a daring and reckless conspirator, from L. SergiusCatilina, whose plot to destroy Rome was foiled by Cicero, 63B.C.—adj.Cat′ilinārian.
Catkin.SeeCat.
Cat-log, kat′-log,n.(Shak.).Catalogue.
Catonian, ka-tō′ni-an,adj.resemblingCato, the Roman Censor (died 149B.C.), or Cato Uticensis (95-46B.C.), both remarkable for gravity of manners—hence grave, severe, unbending.
Catoptric, kat-op′trik,adj.relating to catoptrics or vision by reflection.—n.pl.Catop′trics, the part of optics which treats of reflected light. [Gr.; fromkatoptron, a mirror—kata, against,optesthai, to see.]
Cat's-tail.SeeCat.
Cattle, kat′l,n.pl.beasts of pasture, esp. oxen, bulls, and cows: sometimes also horses, sheep, &c.—ns.Catt′leman, one who tends cattle, or who rears them on a ranch;Catt′le-plague, plague or disease among cattle, esp. that known as rinderpest or steppe murrain;Catt′le-show, an exhibition or show of cattle or other domestic animals in competition for prizes. [O. Fr.catel,chatel—Low L.captale, orig. capital, property in general, then esp. animals—L.capitalis, chief—caput, the head, beasts in early times forming the chief part of property.]
Catty, kat′i,n.the Chinese kin or pound, usually a little over 1¼ lb. avoirdupois.
Caucasian, kaw-kā′zhi-an,adj.pertaining to MountCaucasusor the country around it.—n.the name adopted by Blumenbach for one of his main ethnological divisions of mankind, by him made to include the two great groups, the Aryan and the Semitic; used by later anthropologists for the fair type of man as opposed to the Mongolic or yellow type.
Caucus, kaw′kus,n.a private meeting of political wire-pullers to agree upon candidates to be proposed for an ensuing election, or to fix the business to be laid before a general meeting of their party: applied loosely to any influential committee in a constituency. [Ety. dub.; perh. John Smith's Algonkin wordCaw-cawaassough, an adviser; perh. a corr. of 'caulkers'meetings.']
Caudal, kaw′dal,adj.pertaining to the tail: having a tail or something like one.—adj.Cau′dāte, tailed. [L.cauda.]
Caudex, kaw′deks,n.(bot.) the stem of a tree, esp. of a palm or tree-fern:—pl.Caud′ices,Caud′exes.—n.Caudicle, the stalk of the pollen-masses of certain orchids. [L.]
Caudle, kaw′dl,n.a warm drink, sweetened and spiced, given to the sick, esp. women in childbed.—v.t.to give a caudle to, to mix. [O. Fr.chaudel—L.calidus, hot.]
Caudron, kaw′dron,n.(Spens.). Same asCauldron.
Caught, kawt,pa.t.andpa.p.ofCatch.
Cauk, kawk,n.chalk: sulphate of baryta or heavy spar. [A form ofChalk.]
Cauker.SeeCaulk.
Caul, kawl,n.a net or covering for the head: the membrane covering the head of some infants at their birth. [O. Fr.cale, a little cap, prob. Celt.; cf. Ir.calla, a veil, hood.]
Cauld, kawld,n.(Scot.) a dam in a stream, a weir.
Cauldrife, kawld′-rīf,adj.(Scot.) cold, chilly, lifeless, without vigour.
Cauldron,Caldron, kawl′dron,n.a large kettle for boiling or heating liquids. [O. Fr.caudron—L.caldarium—calidus, hot—calēre, to be hot.]
Caulescent, kaw-les′ent,adj.(bot.) having a stem rising above the ground—alsoCaulif′erous.—n.Cau′licle, a rudimentary stem.—adj.Caulic′olous, growing on a stem.—n.pl.Cauliculā′ta, the black or antipatharian corals.—adj.Caulic′ulāte.—n.Caulic′ulus, one of the slender stems springing from thecaulesor main stalks supporting the volutes in the Corinthian capital.—adjs.Caul′iform, having the form of a stem;Caulig′enous, borne upon the stem;Caul′inary,Cau′line, belonging to a stem.—n.Cau′lis, the stem of a plant: one of the main stems at the angles of the Corinthian capital. [L.caulis, a stalk.]
Cauliflower, kaw′li-flow′ėr,n.a variety of cabbage, the eatable part of which is the deformed inflorescence or head. [Earliercole-florye,colie-florie—Low L.cauli-flora—L.caulis, cabbage. SeeColeandFlower.]
Caulk,Calk, kawk,v.t.to press oakum and untwisted rope into the seams of a ship to render it watertight.—ns.Caulk′er, one who caulks: a dram: a big lie—alsoCauk′er;Caulk′ing;Caulk′ing-ī′ron, an instrument like a chisel used for pressing oakum into the seams of ships. [O. Fr.cauquer, to press—L.caclāre, to tread—calx, heel.]
Cause, kawz,n.that which produces an effect: that by or through which anything happens: motive: inducement: a legal action between contending parties: sake, advantage: that side of a question which is taken up by an individual or party: (Shak.) accusation: (Shak.) matter, affair in general.—v.t.to produce: to make to exist: to bring about: (Spens.) to give excuses.—conj.(dial.) because.—adj.Caus′al, relating to a cause or causes.—n.Causal′ity, the working of a cause: (phren.) the faculty of tracing effects to their causes.—adv.Caus′ally, according to the order of causes.—ns.Causā′tion, the act of causing: the bringing about of an effect; the relation of cause and effect;Causā′tionism, the theory of causation;Causā′tionist, a believer in the foregoing.—adj.Caus′ative, expressing causation.—n.a form of verb or noun expressing such.—adv.Caus′atively.—adj.Cause′less, having no cause or occasion.—adv.Cause′lessly.—ns.Cause′lessness;Caus′er, one who causes an effect to be produced.—Cause célèbre, a convenient French term for a specially interesting and important legal trial, criminal or civil.—Final cause, the end or object for which a thing is done, esp. the design of the universe;First cause, the original cause or creator of all.—Hour of cause(Scot.), hour or time of trial.—Secondary causes, such as are derived from a primary or first cause.—HaveorShow cause, to have to give reasons for a certain line of action;Make common cause(with), to unite for a common object;Show cause(Eng. law), to argue against the confirmation of a provisional order or judgment.—ForOccasional causes, seeOccasionalism. [Fr.,—L.causa.]