CASSATECas"sate, v. t. Etym: [LL. cassare. See Cass.]
Defn: To render void or useless; to vacate or annul. [Obs.]
CASSATIONCas*sa"tion, n. Etym: [F. cassation. See Cass.]
Defn: The act of annulling. A general cassation of their constitutions. Motley. Court of cassation, the highest court of appeal in France, which has power to quash (Casser) or reverse the decisions of the inferior courts.
CASSAVA Cas"sa*va, n. Etym: [F. cassave, Sp. cazabe, fr. kasabi, in the language of Hayti.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: A shrubby euphorbiaceous plant of the genus Manihot, with fleshy rootstocks yielding an edible starch; — called also manioc.
Note: There are two species, bitter and sweet, from which the cassava of commerce is prepared in the West Indies, tropical America, and Africa. The bitter (Manihot utilissima) is the more important; this has a poisonous sap, but by grating, pressing, and baking the root the poisonous qualities are removed. The sweet (M. Aipi) is used as a table vegetable.
2. A nutritious starch obtained from the rootstocks of the cassava plant, used as food and in making tapioca.
CASSAVA WOODCas"sa*va wood`. (Bot.)
Defn: A West Indian tree (Turpinia occidentalis) of the familyStaphyleaceæ.
CASSEL BROWN; CASSEL EARTHCas"sel brown, Cas"sel earth .
Defn: A brown pigment of varying permanence, consisting of impure lignite. It was found originally near Cassel (now Kassel), Germany.
CASSE PAPERCas"se Pa"per. Etym: [F. papier cassé. See Cass.]
Defn: Broken paper; the outside quires of a ream.
CASSEROLECas"se*role n. Etym: [F. a saucepan, dim. from casse a basin.]
1. (Chem.)
Defn: A small round dish with a handle, usually of porcelain.
2. (Cookery)
Defn: A mold (in the shape of a hollow vessel or incasement) of boiled rice, mashed potato or paste, baked, and afterwards filled with vegetables or meat.
CASSE-TETE Casse`-tête", n. [F., fr. casser to breal (see 2d Quash) + tête head.]
Defn: A small war club, esp. of savages; — so called because of its supposed use in crushing the skull.
CASSETTECas`sette", n. [F., prop., a casket, dim. of casse a case. See lstCase.]
Defn: Same as Seggar.
CASSIA Cas"sia, n. Etym: [L. cassia and casia, Gr. qetsi\'beh, fr. qatsa' to cut off, to peel off.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of leguminous plants (herbs, shrubs, or trees) of many species, most of which have purgative qualities. The leaves of several species furnish the senna used in medicine.
2. The bark of several species of Cinnamommum grown in China, etc.; Chinese cinnamon. It is imported as cassia, but commonly sold as cinnamon, from which it differs more or less in strength and flavor, and the amount of outer bark attached.
Note: The medicinal "cassia" (Cassia pulp) is the laxative pulp of the pods of a leguminous tree (Cassia fistula or Pudding-pipe tree), native in the East Indies but naturalized in various tropical countries. Cassia bark, the bark of Cinnamomum Cassia, etc. The coarser kinds are called Cassia lignea, and are often used to adulterate true cinnamon. — Cassia buds, the dried flower buds of several species of cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia, atc..). — Cassia oil, oil extracted from cassia bark and cassia buds; — called also oil of cinnamon.
CASSICANCas"si*can, n. Etym: [NL. cassicus helmeted, fr. L. cassis a belmet.](Zoöl.)
Defn: An American bird of the genus Cassicus, allied to the starlings and orioles, remarkable for its skillfully constructed and suspended nest; the crested oriole. The name is also sometimes given to the piping crow, an Australian bird.
CASSIDEOUSCas*sid"e*ous, a. Etym: [L. Cassis helmet.] (Bot.)
Defn: Helmet-shaped; — applied to a corolla having a broad, helmet- shaped upper petal, as in aconite.
CASSIDONY Cas"si*do*ny, n. Etym: [Cf. LL. cassidonium, F. Cassidoine. See Chalcedony.] (Bot.) (a) The French lavender (Lawandula Stachas). (b) The goldilocks (Chrysocoma linosyris) and perhaps other plants related to the genus Gnaphalium or cudweed.
CASSIMERE Cas"si*mere, n. Etym: [Cf. F. casimir, prob. of the same origin as E. cashmere. Cf. Kerseymere.]
Defn: A thin, twilled, woolen cloth, used for men's garments.[Written also kerseymere.]
CASSINETTECas`si*nette", n. Etym: [Cf. Sp. casinete, G. cassinet.]
Defn: A cloth with a cotton wart, and a woof of very fine wool, or wool and silk.
CASSINIAN OVALSCas*sin"i*an o"vals. (Math.)
Defn: See under Oval.
CASSINO Cas*si"no, n. Etym: [It. casino a small house, a gaming house. See asing.]
Defn: A game at cards, played by two or more persons, usually for twenty-one points. Great cassino, the ten of diamonds. — Little cassino, the two of spades.
CASSIOBERRYCas"si*o*ber`ry, n. Etym: [NL. cassine, from the language of theFlorida Indians.]
Defn: The fruit of the Viburnum obovatum, a shrub which grows fromVirginia to Florida.
CASSIOPEIACas`si*o*pe"ia, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Astron.)
Defn: A constellation of the northern hemisphere, situated between Capheus and Perseus; — so called in honor of the wife of Cepheus, a fabuolous king of Ethiopia. Cassiopeia's Chair, a group of six stars, in Cassiopeia, somewhat resembling a chair.
CASSITERITECas*sit"er*ite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)
Defn: Native tin dioxide; tin stone; a mineral occurring in tetragonal crystals of reddish brown color, and brilliant adamantine luster; also massive, sometimes in compact forms with concentric fibrous structure resembling wood (wood tin), also in rolled fragments or pebbly (Stream tin). It is the chief source of metallic tin. See Black tin, under Black.
CASSIUSCas"sius, n. Etym: [From the name of the discoverer, A. Cassius, aGerman physician of the 17th centry.]
Defn: A brownish purple pigment, obtained by the action of some compounds of tin upon certain salts of gold. It is used in painting and staining porcelain and glass to give a beautiful purple color. Commonly called Purple of Cassius.
CASSOCK Cas"sock, n. Etym: [F. casaque, fr. It. casacca, perh. fr. L. casa cottage, in It., house; or of Slavic origin.]
1. A long outer garment formerly worn by men and women, as well as by soldiers as part of their uniform.
2. (Eccl.)
Defn: A garment resembling a long frock coat worn by the clergy of certain churches when officiating, and by others as the usually outer garment.
CASSOCKEDCas"socked, a.
Defn: Clothed with a cassock.
CASSOLETTECas`so*lette", n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: a box, or vase with a perforated cover to emit perfumes.
CASSONADECas`son*ade", n. Etym: [F., fr. casson, for caisson a large chest.This sugar comes from Brazil in large chests.]
Defn: Raw sugar; sugar not refined. Mc Elrath.
CASSOWARYCas"so*wa*ry, n.; pl. Cassowaries. Etym: [Malay kasuari.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A large bird, of the genus Casuarius, found in the east Indies. It is smaller and stouter than the ostrich. Its head is armed with a kind of helmet of horny substance, consisting of plates overlapping each other, and it has a group of long sharp spines on each wing which are used as defensive organs. It is a shy bird, and runs with great rapidity. Other species inhabit New Guinea, Australia, etc.
CASSUMUNAR; CASSUMUNIARCas`su*mu"nar, Cas`su*mu"ni*ar, n. Etym: [Hind.] (Med.)
Defn: A pungent, bitter, aromatic, gingerlike root, obtained from theEast Indies.
CASTCast, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cast; p. pr. & vb. n. Casting.] Etym: [Cf.Dan. kastw, Icel. & Sw. kasta; perh. akin to L. gerer to bear, carry.E. Jest.]
1. To send or drive by force; to throw; to fling; to hurl; to impel.Uzziash prepared . . . slings to cast stones. 2 Chron. xxvi. 14Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. Acts. xii. 8We must be cast upon a certain island. Acts. xxvii. 26.
2. To direct or turn, as the eyes. How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me! Shak.
3. To drop; to deposit; as, to cast a ballot.
4. To throw down, as in wrestling. Shak.
5. To throw up, as a mound, or rampart. Thine enemies shall cast a trench [bank] about thee. Luke xix. 48.
6. To throw off; to eject; to shed; to lose.His filth within being cast. Shak.Neither shall your vine cast her fruit. Mal. iii. 11The creatures that cast the skin are the snake, the viper, etc.Bacon.
7. To bring forth prematurely; to slink. Thy she-goats have not cast their young. Gen. xxi. 38.
8. To throw out or emit; to exhale. [Obs.] This . . . casts a sulphureous smell. Woodward.
9. To cause to fall; to shed; to reflect; to throw; as, to cast a ray upon a screen; to cast light upon a subject.
10. To impose; to bestow; to rest. The government I cast upon my brother. Shak. Cast thy burden upon the Lord. Ps. iv. 22.
11. To dismiss; to discard; to cashier. [Obs.] The state can not with safety casthim.
12. To compute; to reckon; to calculate; as, to cast a horoscope. "Let it be cast and paid." Shak. You cast the event of war my noble lord. Shak.
13. To contrive; to plan. [Archaic] The cloister . . . had, I doubt not, been cast for [an orange- house]. Sir W. Temple.
14. To defeat in a lawsuit; to decide against; to convict; as, to be cast in damages. She was cast to be hanged. Jeffrey. Were the case referred to any competent judge, they would inevitably be cast. Dr. H. More.
15. To turn (the balance or scale); to overbalance; hence, to make preponderate; to decide; as, a casting voice. How much interest casts the balance in cases dubious! South.
16. To form into a particular shape, by pouring liquid metal or other material into a mold; to fashion; to found; as, to cast bells, stoves, bullets.
17. (Print.)
Defn: To stereotype or electrotype.
18. To fix, distribute, or allot, as the parts of a play among actors; also to assign (an actor) for a part. Our parts in the other world will be new cast. Addison. To cast anchor (Naut.) Se under Anchor. — To cast a horoscope, to calculate it. — To cast a horse, sheep, or other animal, to throw with the feet upwards, in such a manner as to prevent its rising again. — To cast a shoe, to throw off or lose a shoe, said of a horse or ox. — To cast aside, to throw or push aside; to neglect; to reject as useless or inconvenient. — To cast away. (a) To throw away; to lavish; to waste. "Cast away a life" Addison. (b) To reject; to let perish. "Cast away his people." Rom. xi. 1. "Cast one away." Shak. (c) To wreck. "Cast away and sunk." Shak. — To cast by, to reject; to dismiss or discard; to throw away. — To cast down, to throw down; to destroy; to deject or depress, as the mind. "Why art thou cast down. O my soul" Ps. xiii. 5. — To cast forth, to throw out, or eject, as from an inclosed place; to emit; to send out. — To cast in one's lot with, to share the fortunes of. — To cast in one's teeth, to upbraid or abuse one for; to twin. — To cast lots. See under Lot. — To cast off. (a) To discard or reject; to drive away; to put off; to free one's self from. (b) (Hunting) To leave behind, as dogs; also, to set loose, or free, as dogs. Crabb. (c) (Naut.) To untie, throw off, or let go, as a rope. — To cast off copy, (Print.), to estimate how much printed matter a given amount of copy will make, or how large the page must be in order that the copy may make a given number of pages. — To cast one's self on or upon to yield or submit one's self unreservedly to. as to the mercy of another. — To cast out, to throy out; to eject, as from a house; to cast forth; to expel; to utter. — To cast the lead (Naut.), to sound by dropping the lead to the botton. — To cast the water (Med.), to examine the urine for signs of disease. [Obs.]. — To cast up. (a) To throw up; to raise. (b) To compute; to reckon, as the cost. (c) To vomit. (d) To twit with; to throw in one's teeth.
CASTCast, v. i.
1. To throw, as a line in angling, esp, with a fly hook.
2. (Naut.)
Defn: To turn the head of a vessel around from the wind in gettingunder weigh.Weigh anchor, cast to starboard. Totten.
3. To consider; to turn or revolve in the mind; to plan; as, to castabout for reasons.She . . . cast in her mind what manner of salution this should be.Luke. i. 29.
4. To calculate; to compute. [R.] Who would cast and balance at a desk. Tennyson.
5. To receive form or shape in a mold. It will not run thin, so as to cast and mold. Woodward.
6. To warp; to become twisted out of shape. Stuff is said to cast or warp when . . . it alters its flatness or straightness. Moxon.
7. To vomit. These verses . . . make me ready to cast. B. Jonson.
CASTCast,
Defn: 3d pres. of Cast, for Casteth. [Obs.] Chaucer.
CASTCast, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel., Dan., & Sw. kast.]
1. The act of casting or throwing; a throw.
2. The thing thrown. A cast of dreadful dust. Dryden.
3. The distance to which a thing is or can be thrown. "About a stone's cast." Luke xxii. 41.
4. A throw of dice; hence, a chance or venture. An even cast whether the army should march this way or that way. Sowth. I have set my life upon a cast, And I will stand the hazard of the die. Shak.
5. That which is throw out or off, shed, or ejected; as, the skin of an insect, the refuse from a hawk's stomach, the excrement of a earthworm.
6. The act of casting in a mold. And why such daily cast of brazen cannon. Shak.
7. An impression or mold, taken from a thing or person; amold; a pattern.
8. That which is formed in a mild; esp. a reproduction or copy, as of a work of art, in bronze or plaster, etc.; a casting.
9. Form; appearence; mien; air; style; as, a pecullar cast of countenance. "A neat cast of verse." Pope. An heroic poem, but in another cast and figure. Prior. And thus the native hue of resolution Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought. Shak.
10. A tendency to any color; a tinge; a shade. Gray with a cast of green. Woodward.
11. A chance, opportunity, privilege, or advantage; specifically, an opportunity of riding; a lift. [Scotch] We bargained with the driver to give us a cast to the next stage. Smollett. If we had the cast o' a cart to bring it. Sir W. Scott.
12. The assignment of parts in a play to the actors.
13. (Falconary)
Defn: A flight or a couple or set of hawks let go at one time fromthe hand. Grabb.As when a cast of falcons make their flight. Spenser.
14. A stoke, touch, or trick. [Obs.] This was a cast of Wood's politics; for his information was wholly false. Swift.
15. A motion or turn, as of the eye; direction; look; glance; squint.The cast of the eye is a gesture of aversion. Bacon.And let you see with one cast of an eye. Addison.This freakish, elvish cast came into the child's eye. Hawthorne.
16. A tube or funnel for conveying metal into a mold.
17. Four; that is, as many as are thrown into a vessel at once in counting herrings, etc; a warp.
18. Contrivance; plot, design. [Obs.] Chaucer. A cast of the eye, a slight squint or strabismus. — Renal cast (Med.), microscopic bodies found in the urine of persons affected with disease of the kidneys; — so called because they are formed of matter deposited in, and preserving the outline of, the renal tubes. — The last cast, the last throw of the dice or last effort, on which every thing is ventured; the last chance.
CASTALIANCas*ta"li*an, a. Etym: [L. Castalius]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Castalia, a mythical fountain of inspiration on Mt. Parnassus sacred to the Muses. Milton.
CASTANEACas*ta"ne*a, n. Etym: [L., a chestnut, fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of nut-bearing trees or shrubs including the chestnut and chinquapin.
CASTANETCas"ta*net, n.
Defn: See Castanets.
CASTANETS Cas"ta*nets, n. pl. Etym: [F. castagnettes, Sp. castañetas, fr. L. castanea (Sp. castaña) a chestnut. So named from the resemblance to two chestnuts, or because chestnuts were first used for castanets. See Chestnut.]
Defn: Two small, concave shells of ivory or hard wood, shaped like spoons, fastened to the thumb, and beaten together with the middle finger; — used by the Spaniards and Moors as an accompaniment to their dance and guitars.
Note: The singular, castanet, is used of one of the pair, or, sometimes, of the pair forming the instrument. The dancer, holding a castanet in each hand, rattles then to the motion of his feet. Moore (Encyc. of Music).
CASTAWAYCast"a*way, n.
1. One who, or that which, is cast away or shipwrecked.
2. One who is ruined; one who has made moral shipwreck; a reprobate. Lest . . . when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Cor. ix. 27.
CASTAWAYCast"a*way, a.
Defn: Of no value; rejected; useless.
CASTE Caste, n. Etym: [Pg. casta race, lineage, fr. L. castus pure, chaste: cf. F. caste, of same origin.]
1. One of the hereditary classes into which the Hindoos are divided according to the laws of Brahmanism.
Note: The members of the same caste are theoretically of equal rank, and same profession or occupation, and may not eat or intermarry with those not of their own caste. The original are four, viz., the Brahmans, or sacerdotal order; the Kshatriyas, or soldiers and rulers; the Vaisyas, or husbandmen and merchants; and the Sudras, or laborers and mechanics. Men of no caste are Pariahs, outcasts. Numerous mixed classes, or castes, have sprung up in the progress of time.
2. A separate and fixed order or class of persons in society who chiefly hold intercourse among themselves. The tinkers then formed an hereditary caste. Macaulay. To lose caste, to be degraded from the caste to which one has belonged; to lose social position or consideration.
CASTELLAN Cas"tel*lan, n. Etym: [OF. castelain, F. châtelain, L. castellanus pertaining to a castle, an occupant of a caste, LL., a governor of a castle, fr. L. catellum castle, citadel, dim. of castrum fortifled place. See Castle, and cf. Chatelaine.]
Defn: A goveror or warden of a castle.
CASTELLANYCas"tel*la*ny, n.; pl. Castellanies. Etym: [LL. castellania.]
Defn: The lordship of a castle; the extent of land and jurisdiction appertaining to a castle.
CASTELLATEDCas"tel*la`ted, a. Etym: [LL. castellatus, fr. castellare. SeeCastle.]
1. Inclosed within a building; as, a fountain or cistern castellated. [Obs.] Johnson.
2. Furnished with turrets and battlements, like a castle; built in the style of a castle.
CASTELLATION Cas`tel*la"tion, n. Etym: [LL. castellation, fr. castellare, fr. L. castellum. See Castle.]
Defn: The act of making into a castle.
CASTERCast"er, n.
1. One who casts; as, caster of stones, etc. ; a caster of cannon; a caster of accounts.
2. A vial, cruet, or other small vessel, used to contain condiments at the table; as, a set of casters.
3. A stand to hold a set of cruets.
4. A small wheel on a swivel, on which furniture is supported and moved.
CASTIGATE Cas"ti*gate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Castigated; p. pr. & vb. n. Castigating.] Etym: [L. castigatus, p. p. of castigare to correct, punish; castus pure, chaste + agere to move, drive. See Caste, and cf. Chasten.]
1. To punish by stripes; to chastise by blows; to chasten; also, to chastise verbally; to reprove; to criticise severely.
2. To emend; to correct. [Obs.]
CASTIGATIONCas`ti*ga"tion, n. Etym: [L. catigatio.]
1. Corrective punishment; chastisement; reproof; pungent criticism. The keenest castigation of her slanderers. W. Irving.
2. Emendation; correction. [Obs.]
CASTIGATORCas`ti*ga"tor, n. Etym: [L.]
Defn: One who castigates or corrects.
CASTIGATORYCas`ti*ga*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. castigatorius.]
Defn: Punitive in order to amendment; corrective.
CASTIGATORYCas"ti*ga*to*ry, n.
Defn: An instrument formerly used to punish and correct arrant scolds; — called also a ducking stool, or trebucket. Blacktone.
CASTILE SOAPCas"tile soap". Etym: [From Castile, or Castilia, a province inSpain, from which it originally came.]
Defn: A kind of fine, hard, white or mottled soap, made with olive and soda; also, a soap made in imitation of the above-described soap.
CASTILIANCas*til"ian, n. Etym: [Sp. castellano, from Castila, NL. Castilia,Castella. Castile, which received its name from the castles erectedon the frontiers as a barrier against the Moors.]
1. An inhabitant or native of Castile, in Spain.
2. The Spanish language as spoken in Castile.
CASTILLANCas*til"lan, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Castile, in Spain.
CASTINGCast"ing, n.
1. The act of one who casts or throws, as in fishing.
2. The act or process of making cast or impressions, or of shaping metal or plaster in a mold; the act or the process of pouring molten metal into a mold.
3. That which is cast in a mold; esp. the mass of metal so cast; as, a casting in iron; bronze casting.
4. The warping of a board. Brande & C.
5. The act of casting off, or that which is cast off, as skin, feathers, excrement, etc. Casting of draperies, the proper distribution of the folds of garments, in painting and sculpture. — Casting line (Fishing), the leader; also, sometimes applied to the long reel line. Casting net, a net which is cast and drawn, in distinction from a net that is set and left. — Casting voice, Casting vote, the decisive vote of a presiding officer, when the votes of the assembly or house are equally divided. "When there was an equal vote, the governor had the casting voice." B. Trumbull. — Casting weight, a weight that turns a balance when exactly poised.
CAST IRONCast" i`ron.
Defn: Highly carbonized iron, the direct product of the blast furnace; — used for making castings, and for conversion into wrought iron and steel. It can not be welded or forged, is brittle, and sometimes very hard. Besides carbon, it contains sulphur, phosphorus, silica, etc.
CAST-IRONCast"-i`ron, a.
Defn: Made of cast iron. Hence, Fig.: like cast iron; hardy; unyielding.
CASTLE Cas"tle, n. Etym: [AS. castel, fr. L. castellum, dim. of castrum a fortified place, castle.]
1. A fortified residence, especially that of a prince or nobleman; a fortress. The house of every one is to him castle and fortress, as well for his defense againts injury and violence, as for his repose. Coke. Our castle's strength Will laugh a siege to scorn. Shak.
Note: Originally the mediæval castle was a single strong tower or keep, with a palisaded inclosure around it and inferior buidings, such as stables and the like, and surrounded by a moat; then such a keep or donjon, with courtyards or baileys and accessory buildings of greater elaboration a great hall and a chapel, all surrounded by defensive walls and a moat, with a drawbridge, etc. Afterwards the name was retained by large dwellings that had formerly been fortresses, or by those which replaced ancient fortresses. A Donjon or Keep, an irregular building containing the dwelling of the lord and his family; B C Large round towers ferming part of the donjon and of the exterior; D Square tower, separating the two inner courts and forming part of the donjon; E Chapel, whose apse forms a half-round tower, F, on the exterior walls; G H Round towers on the exterior walls; K Postern gate, reached from outside by a removable fight of steps or inclined plane for hoisting in stores, and leading to a court, L (see small digagram) whose pavement is on a level with the sill of the postern, but below the level of the larger court, with which it communicates by a separately fortified gateway; M Turret, containing spiral stairway to all the stories of the great tower, B, and serving also as a station for signal fire, banner, etc.; N Turret with stairway for tower, C; O Echauguettes; P P P Battlemants consisting of merlons and crenels alternately, the merlons being pierced by loopholes; Q Q Machicolations (those at Q defend the postern K); R Outwork defending the approach, which is a road ascending the hill and passing under all four faces of the castle; S S Wall of the outer bailey. The road of approach enters the bailey at T and passes thence into the castle by the main entrance gateway (which is in the wall between, and defended by the towers, C H) and over two drawbridges and through fortified passages to the inner court.
2. Any strong, imposing, and stately mansion.
3. A small tower, as on a ship, or an elephant's back.
4. A piece, made to represent a castle, used in the game of chess; a rook. Castle in the air, a visionary project; a baseless scheme; an air castle; — sometimes called a castle in Spain (F. Château en Espagne).
Syn.— Fortress; fortification; citadel; stronghold. See Fortress.
CASTLECas"tle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Castled (. p. pr. & vb. n. Castling.](Chess)
Defn: To move the castle to the square next to king, and then the king around the castle to the square next beyond it, for the purpose of covering the king.
CASTLEBUILDERCas"tle*build`er, n.
Defn: Fig.: one who builds castles in the air or forms visionaryschemes.— Cas"tle*build`ing, n.
CASTLEDCas"tled, a.
Defn: Having a castle or castles; supporting a castle; as, a castled height or crag.
2. Fortified; turreted; as, castled walls.
CASTLE-GUARDCas"tle-guard`, n.
1. The guard or defense of a castle.
2. (O. Eng. Law)
Defn: A tax or imposition an a dwelling within a certain distance of a castle, for the purpose of maintaining watch and ward in it; castle-ward.
3. A feudal tenure, obliging the tenant to perform service within the realm, without limitation of time.
CASTLERYCas"tle*ry, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. castelerie. See Castle.]
Defn: The government of a castle. Blount.
CASTLETCas"tlet, n.
Defn: A small castle. Leland.
CASTLEWARDCas"tle*ward`, n.
Defn: Same as Castleguard.
CASTLINGCast"ling, n.
Defn: That which is cast or brought forth prematurely; an abortion.Sir T. Browne.
CASTLINGCas"tling, n. (Chess)
Defn: A compound move of the king and castle. See Castle, v. i.
CAST-OFFCast"-off`, a.
Defn: Cast or laid aside; as, cast-off clothes.
CASTORCas"tor, n. Etym: [L. castor the beaver, Gr.
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of rodents, including the beaver. See Beaver.
2. Castoreum. See Castoreum.
3. A hat, esp. one made of beaver fur; a beaver. I have always been known for the jaunty manner in which I wear my castor. Sir W. Scott.
4. A heavy quality of broadcloth for overcoats.
CASTORCast"or, n.
Defn: See Caster, a small wheel.
CASTORCas"tor, n. Etym: [L.] (Astron.)
Defn: the northernmost of the two bright stars in the constellationGemini, the other being Pollux.
CASTOR; CASTORITECas"tor, Cas"tor*ite, n. Etym: [The minerals castor and pollux wereso named because found together on the island of Elba. See Castor andPollux.] (Min.)
Defn: A variety of the mineral called petalite, from Elba.
CASTOR AND POLLUXCas"tor and Pol"lux. Etym: [Castor and Pollux were twin sons ofJupiter and Leda.] (Naut.)
Defn: See Saint Elmo's fire, under Saint.
CASTOR BEANCas"tor bean". (Bot.)
Defn: The bean or seed of the castor-oil plant (Ricinus communis, orPalma Christi.)
CASTOREUMCas*to"re*um, n. Etym: [L. See Castor.]
Defn: A peculiar bitter orange-brown substance, with strong, penetrating odor, found in two sacs between the anus and external genitals of the beaver; castor; — used in medicine as an antispasmodic, and by perfumers.
CASTORINCas"to*rin, n. Etym: [From 1st Castor.] (Chem.)
Defn: A white crystalline substance obtained from castoreum.
CASTOR OILCas"tor oil.
Defn: A mild cathartic oil, expressed or extracted from the seeds of the Ricinus communis, or Palma Christi. When fresh the oil is inodorus and insipid. Castor-oil plant. Same as Palma Christi.
CASTRAMETATION Cas`tra*me*ta"tion, n. Etym: [F. castramétation, fr. L. castra camp + metari to measure off, fr. meta limit.] (Mil.)
Defn: The art or act of encamping; the making or laying out of a camp.
CASTRATECas"trate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Castrated; p. pr. & vb. n.Castrating.] Etym: [L. castrarus, p; p. of castrare to castrate, asinto Skr. çastra knife.]
1. To deprive of the testicles; to emasculate; to geld; to alter.
2. To cut or take out; esp. to remove anything erroneous, or objectionable from, as the obscene parts of a writing; to expurgate. My . . . correspondent . . . has sent me the following letter, which I have castrated in some places. Spectator.
CASTRATIONCas*tra"tion, n. Etym: [L. castratio; cf. F. castration.]
Defn: The act of castrating.
CASTRATOCas*tra"to, n. Etym: [L., properly p. p. of castrare. See Castrate.]
Defn: A male person castrated for the purpose of improving his voice for singing; an artificial, or male, soprano. Swift.
CASTRELCas"trel, n. Etym: [Cf. F. crécerelle, cristel, OF. crecel, cercele.Cf. Kestrel.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Kestrel.
CASTRENSIALCas*tren"sial, a. Etym: [L. castrensis, fr. castra camp.]
Defn: Belonging to a camp. Sir T. Browne.
CASTRENSIANCas*tren"sian, a.
Defn: Castrensial. [R.]
CAST STEELCast" steel".
Defn: See Cast steel, under Steel.
CASUAL Cas"u*al, a. Etym: [OE. casuel, F. casuel, fr. L. casualis, fr. casus fall, accident, fr. cadere to fall. See Case.]
1. Happening or coming to pass without design, and without being foreseen or expected; accidental; fortuitous; coming by chance. Casual breaks, in the general system. W. Irving.
2. Coming without regularity; occasional; incidental; as, casual expenses. A constant habit, rather than a casual gesture. Hawthorne.
Syn. — Accidental; fortutious; incidental; occasional; contingent; unforeseen. See Accidental.
CASUALCas"u*al, n.
Defn: One who receives relief for a night in a parish to which he does not belong; a vagrant.
CASUALISMCas"u*al*ism, n.
Defn: The doctrine that all things exist or are controlled by chance.
CASUALISTCas"u*al*ist, n.
Defn: One who believes in casualism.
CASUALLYCas"u*al*ly, adv.
Defn: Without design; accidentally; fortuitously; by chance; occasionally.
CASUALNESSCas"u*al*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being casual.
CASUALTY Cas"u*al*ty, n.; pl. Casualties. Etym: [F. casualité, LL. casualitas.]
1. That which comes without design or without being foreseen; contingency. Losses that befall them by mere casualty. Sir W. Raleigh.
2. Any injury of the body from accident; hence, death, or other misfortune, occasioned by an accident; as, an unhappy casualty.
3. pl. (Mil. & Naval)
Defn: Numerical loss caused by death, wounds, discharge, or desertion. Casualty ward, A ward in a hospital devoted to the treatment of injuries received by accident.
Syn.— Accident; contingency; fortuity; misfortune.
CASUARINA Cas`u*a*ri"na, n. Etym: [NL., supposed to be named from the resemblance of the twigs to the feathers of the cassowary, of the genus Casuarius.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of leafles trees or shrubs, with drooping branchlets of a rushlike appearance, mostly natives of Australia. Some of them are large, producing hard and heavy timber of excellent quality, called beefwood from its color.
CASUISTCas"u*ist, n. Etym: [L. casus fall, case; cf. F. casuiste. SeeCasual.]
Defn: One who is skilled in, or given to, casuistry. The judment of any casuist or learned divine concerning the state of a man's soul, is not sufficient to give him confidence. South.
CASUISTCas"u*ist, v. i.
Defn: To play the casuist. Milton.
CASUISTIC; CASUISTICALCas`u*is"tic, Cas`u*is"tic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to casuists or casuistry.
CASUISTRYCas"u*ist*ry, a.
1. The science or doctrine of dealing with cases of conscience, of resolving questions of right or wrong in conduct, or determining the lawfulness or unlawfulness of what a man may do by rules and principles drawn from the Scriptures, from the laws of society or the church, or from equity and natural reason; the application of general moral rules to particular cases. The consideration of these nice and puzzling question in the science of ethics has given rise, in modern times, to a particular department of it, distinguished by the title of casuistry. Stewart. Casuistry in the science of cases (i.e., oblique deflections from the general rule). De Quincey.
2. Sophistical, equivocal, or false reasoning or teaching in regard to duties, obligations, and morals.
CASUSCa"sus, n. Etym: [L.]
Defn: An event; an occurrence; an occasion; a combination of circumstances; a case; an act of God. See the Note under Accident. Casus belli, an event or combination of events which is a cause war, or may be alleged as a justification of war. — Casus fortuitus, an accident against which due prudence could not have provided. See Act of God, under Act. — Casus omissus, a case not provided for by the statute.
CATCat, n. Etym: [AS. cat; akin to D. & Dan. kat, Sw. kett, Icel. köttr,G. katze, kater, Ir. Cat, W. cath, Armor. kaz, LL. catus, Bisc.catua, NGr cot, Turk. kedi, Ar. qitt; of unknown origin. CF. Ketten.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An animal of various species of the genera Felis and Lynx. The domestic cat is Felis domestica. The European wild cat (Felis catus) is much larger than the domestic cat. In the United States the name wild cat is commonly applied to the bay lynx (Lynx rufus) See Wild cat, and Tiger cat.
Note: The domestic cat includes many varieties named from their place of origin or from some peculiarity; as, the Angora cat; the Maltese cat; the Manx cat.
Note: The word cat is also used to designate other animals, from some fancied resemblance; as, civet cat, fisher cat, catbird, catfish shark, sea cat.
2. (Naut.) (a) A strong vessel with a narrow stern, projecting quarters, and deep waist. It is employed in the coal and timber trade. (b) A strong tackle used to draw an anchor up to the cathead of a ship. Totten.
3. A double tripod (for holding a plate, etc.), having six feet, of which three rest on the ground, in whatever position in is placed.
4. An old game; (a) The game of tipcat and the implement with which it is played. See Tipcat. (c) A game of ball, called, according to the number of batters, one old cat, two old cat, etc.
5. A cat o' nine tails. See below. Angora cat, blind cat, See under Angora, Blind. — Black cat the fisher. See under Black. — Cat and dog, like a cat and dog; quarrelsome; inharmonius. "I am sure we have lived a cat and dog life of it." Coleridge. — Cat block (Naut.), a heavy iron-strapped block with a large hook, part of the tackle used in drawing an anchor up to the cathead. — Cat hook (Naut.), a strong hook attached to a cat block. — Cat nap, a very short sleep. [Colloq.] — Cat o' nine tails, an instrument of punishment consisting of nine pieces of knotted line or cord fastened to a handle; — formerly used to flog offenders on the bare back. — Cat's cradle, game played, esp. by children, with a string looped on the fingers so, as to resemble small cradle. The string is transferred from the fingers of one to those of another, at each transfer with a change of form. See Cratch, Cratch cradle. — To let the cat out of the bag, to tell a secret, carelessly or willfully. [Colloq.] — Bush cat, the serval. See Serval.
CATCat, v. t. [imp. & p. p. tted; p. pr. & vb. n. Catting.] (Naut.)
Defn: To bring to the cathead; as, to cat an anchor. See Anchor.Totten.
CATACat"a. Etym: [Gr. kata`.]
Defn: The Latin and English form of a Greek preposition, used as a prefix to signify down, downward, under, against, contrary or opposed to, wholly, completely; as in cataclysm, catarrh. It sometimes drops the final vowel, as in catoptric; and is sometimes changed to cath, as in cathartic, catholic.
CATABAPTISTCat`a*bap"tist, n. Etym: [Pref. cata + aptist. See Baptist.] (Eccl.)
Defn: One who opposes baptism, especially of infants. [Obs.] Featley.
CATABASIONCat`a*ba"sion, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
Defn: A vault under altar of a Greek church.
CATABIOTICCat`a*bi*ot"ic, a.
Defn: Aee under Force.
CATACAUSTICCat`a*caus"tic, a. Etym: [Pref. cata + caustic.] (Physics)
Defn: Relating to, or having the properties of, a caustic curve formed by reflection. See Caustic, a. Nichol.
CATACAUSTICCat`a*caus"tic, n. (Physics)
Defn: A caustic curve formed by reflection of light. Nichol.
CATACHRESISCat`a*chre"sis, n. Etym: [L. fr. Gr. (Rhel.)
Defn: A figure by which one word is wrongly put for another, or by which a word is wrested from its true signification; as, "To take arms against a sea of troubles. " Shak. "Her voice was but the shadow of a sound." Young.
CATACHRESTIC; CATACHRESTICALCat`a*chres"tic, Cat"a*chres"tic*al, a.
Defn: Belonging to, or in the manner of, a catachresis; wrested fromits natural sense or form; forced; far-fatched.— Cat`a*chres"tic*al*ly, adv.[A] catachrestical and improper way of speaking. Jer. Taylor.
CATACLASMCat"a*clasm, n. [Gr. ; down + to break.]
Defn: A breaking asunder; disruption.
CATACLYSMCat"a*clysm, n. Etym: [L. cataclysmos, Gr. cataclysme.]
1. An extensive overflow or sweeping flood of water; a deluge.
2. (Geol.)
Defn: Any violent catastrophe, involving sudden and extensive changes of the earth's surface.
CATACLYSMAL; CATACLYSMICCat`a*clys"mal, Cat"a*clys"mic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a cataclysm.
CATACLYSMISTCat`a*clys"mist, n.
Defn: One who believes that the most important geological phenomena have been produced by cataclysms.
CATACOMBCat"a*comb, n. Etym: [It. catacomba, fr. L. catacumba perh. from Gr.
Defn: A cave, grotto, or subterraneous place of large extent used for the burial of the dead; — commonly in the plural.
Note: The terms is supposed to have been applied originally to the tombs under the church of St. Sebastain in Rome. The most celebrated catacombs are those near Rome, on the Appian Way, supposed to have been the place or refuge and interment of the early Chrictians; those of Egypt, extending for a wide distance in the vicinity of Cairo; and those of Paris, in abandoned stone quarries, excavated under a large portion of the city.
CATACOUSTIC Cat`a*cous"tic, n. Etym: [Pref. cata _ acoustics: cf. F. caraconstique.] (Physics)
Defn: That part of acoustics which treats of reflected sounds or echoes See Acoustics. Hutton.
CATACROTICCat`a*crot"ic, a. [Cata- + Gr. a beating.] (Physiol.)
Defn: Designating, pertaining to, or characterized by, that form of pulse tracing, or sphygmogram, in which the descending portion of the curve is marked by secondary elevations due to two or more expansions of the artery in the same beat. — Ca*tac"rotism (#), n.
CATADICROTISMCat`a*di"cro*tism, n. [Cata-+ dicrotism.] (Physiol.)
Defn: Quality or state of being catacrotic. — Cat`a*di*crot"ic (#), a.
CATADIOPTRIC; CATADIOPTRICAL Cat`a*di*op"tric, Cat`a*di*op"tric*al, a. Etym: [Pref. cata + dioptric: cf. F. catadioptrique.] (Physics)
Defn: Pertaining to, produced by, or involving, both the reflection and refraction of light; as, a catadioptric light. Hutton.
CATADIOPTRICSCat`a*di*op"trics, n.
Defn: The science which treats of catadioptric phenomena, or of the used of catadioptric instruments.
CATADROMECat"a*drome, n. Etym: [Gr.
1. A race course.
2. (Mach.)
Defn: A machine for raising or lowering heavy weights.
CATADROMOUSCa*tad"ro*mous, a. Etym: [Gr.
1. (Bot.)
Defn: Having the lowest inferior segment of a pinna nearer the rachis than the lowest superior one; — said of a mode of branching in ferns, and opposed to anadromous.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Living in fresh water, and going to the sea to spawn; — opposed to anadromous, and of the eel.
CATAFALCOCat`a*fal"co, n. Etym: [It.]
Defn: See Catafalque.
CATAFALQUECat"a*falque`, n. Etym: [F., fr. It. catafalco, scaffold, funeralcanopy; of uncertain origin; cf. Sp. catafalso, cadahalso, cadalso,Pr. casafalc, OF. chafaut. Cf. Scaffold.]
Defn: A temporary structure sometimes used in the funeral solemnities of eminent persons, for the public exhibition of the remains, or their conveyance to the place of burial.
CATAGMATICCat`*ag*mat"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. catagmatique.] (Med.)
Defn: Having the quality of consolidating broken bones.
CATAIANCa*ta"ian, n.
Defn: A native of Cathay or China; a foreigner; — formerly a term of reproach. Shak.
CATALANCat"a*lan, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Catalonia.— n.
Defn: A native or inbabitant of Catalonia; also, the language of Catalonia. Catalan furnace, Catalan forge (Metal.), a kind of furnace for producing wrought iron directly from the ore. It was formerly much used, esp. in Catalonia, and is still used in some parts of the United States and elsewhere.
CATALECTICCat`a*lec"tic, a. Etym: [L. catalecticus, Gr.
1. (Pros.)
Defn: Wanting a syllable at the end, or terminating in an imperfect foot; as, a catalectic verse.
2. (Photog. & Chem.)
Defn: Incomplete; partial; not affecting the whole of a substance.Abney.
CATALEPSY; CATALEPSISCat"a*lep`sy, Cat`a*lep"sis, n. Etym: [NL. catalepsis, fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A sudden suspension of sensation and volition, the body and limbs preserving the position that may be given them, while the action of the heart and lungs continues.
CATALEPTICCat`a*lep"tic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, catalepsy; affected with catalepsy; as, a cataleptic fit.
CATALLACTACat`al*lac"ta, n.; pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Catallactics.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of Protozoa, of which Magosphæra is the type. They exist both in a myxopod state, with branched pseudopodia, and in the form of ciliated bodies united in free, spherical colonies.
CATALLACTICSCat`al*lac"tics n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: The science of exchanges, a branch of political economy.
CATALOGCat"a*log, n. & v.
Defn: Catalogue.
CATALOGIZECat"a*lo*gize, v. t.
Defn: To insert in a catalogue; to register; to catalogue. [R.]Coles.
CATALOGUECat"a*logue, n. Etym: [F., fr. catalogus, fr. Gr.
Defn: A list or enumeration of names, or articles arranged methodically, often in alphabetical order; as, a catalogue of the students of a college, or of books, or of the stars. Card catalogue, a catalogue, as of books, having each item entered on a separate card, and the cards arranged in cases by subjects, or authors, or alphabetically. — Catalogue raisonné Etym: [F.], a catalogue of books, etc., classed according to their subjects. Syn. — List; roll; index; schedule; enumeration; inventory. See List.
CATALOGUECat"a*logue, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Catalogued; p. pr. & vb. n.Cataloguing.]
Defn: To make a list or catalogue; to insert in a catalogue.
CATALOGUERCat"a*log`uer, n.
Defn: A maker of catalogues; esp. one skilled in the making of catalogues.
CATALPA Ca*tal"pa, n. Etym: [From the language of the Indians of Carolina, where Catesby discovered this tree in the year 1726.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of American and East Indian trees, of which the best know species are the Catalpa bignonioides, a large, ornamental North American tree, with spotted white flowers and long cylindrical pods, and the C. speciosa, of the Mississipi valley; — called also Indian bean.
CATALYSISCa*tal"y*sis, n.; pl. Catalyse. Etym: [ML., fr. Gr.
1. Dissolution; degeneration; decay. [R.] Sad catalysis and declension of piety. Evelyn.
2. (Chem.) (a) A process by which reaction occurs in the presence of certain agents which were formerly believed to exert an influence by mere contact. It is now believed that such reactions are attended with the formation of an intermediate compound or compounds, so that by alternate composition and decomposition the agent is apparenty left unchanged; as, the catalysis of making ether from alcohol by means of sulphuric acid; or catalysis in the action of soluble ferments (as diastase, or ptyalin) on starch. (b) The catalytic force.
CATALYTICCat`a*ly"tic, a.
Defn: Relating to, or causing, catalysis. "The catalytic power is ill understood." Ure. Catalytic force, that form of chemical energy formerly supposed to determine catalysis.
CATALYTICCat`a*lyt"ic, n. (Chem.)
Defn: An agent employed in catalysis, as platinum black, aluminium chloride, etc.
CATAMARANCat`a*ma*ran", n. Etym: [The native East Indian name.]
1. A kind of raft or float, consisting of two or more logs or pieces of wood lashed together, and moved by paddles or sail; — used as a surf boat and for other purposes on the coasts of the East and West Indies and South America. Modified forms are much used in the lumber regions of North America, and at life-saving stations.
2. Any vessel with twin hulls, whether propelled by sails or by steam; esp., one of a class of double-hulled pleasure boats remarkable for speed.
3. A kind of fire raft or torpedo bat. The incendiary rafts prepared by Sir Sidney Smith for destroying the French flotilla at Boulogne, 1804, were called catamarans. Knight.
4. A quarrelsome woman; a scold. [Colloq.]
CATAMENIACat`a*me"nia, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: The monthly courses of women; menstrual discharges; menses.
CATAMENIALCat`a*me"ni*al, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Pertaining to the catamenia, or menstrual discharges.
CATAMITECat"a*mite, n. Etym: [L. Catamitus, an old form of GanymedesGanymede, Gr.
Defn: A boy kept for unnatural purposes.
CATAMOUNT Cat"a*mount, n. Etym: [Cat + mount; cf. Sp. gato mentes mountain cat.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The cougar. Applied also, in some parts of the United States, to the lynx.
CATANADROMOUSCat"a*nad`ro*mous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Ascending and descending fresh streams from and to the sea, as the salmon; anadromous. [R.]
CATAPASMCat"a*pasm, n. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A compound medicinal powder, used by the ancients to sprinkle on ulcers, to absorb perspiration, etc. Dunglison.
CATAPELTICCat`a*pel"tic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a catapult.
CATAPETALOUSCat`a*pet"al*ous, a. Etym: [Pref. cata + petalous.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having the petals held together by stamens, which grow to their bases, as in the mallow.
CATAPHONICCat`a*phon"ic, a.
Defn: Of or relating to cataphonics; catacoustic.
CATAPHONICSCat`a*phon"ics, n. Etym: [Pref. cata + phonic: cf. F. cataphonique.](Physics)
Defn: That branch of acoustics which treats of reflested sounds; catacoustics.
CATAPHRACTCat"a*phract, n. Etym: [L. cataphractes, Gr.
1. (Mil. Antiq.)
Defn: Defensive armor used for the whole body and often for the horse, also, esp. the linked mail or scale armor of some eastern nations.
2. A horseman covered with a cataphract. Archers and slingers, cataphracts, and spears. Milton.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The armor or plate covering some fishes.
CATAPHRACTEDCat"a*phract`ed, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Covered with a cataphract, or armor of plates, scales, etc.; or with that which corresponds to this, as horny or bony plates, hard, callous skin, etc.
CATAPHRACTICCat`a*phrac"tic, a.
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a cataphract.
CATAPHYSICALCat`a*phys"ic*al, a. Etym: [Pref. cata + physical.]
Defn: Unnatural; contrary to nature. [R.] Some artists . . . have given to Sir Walter Scott a pile of forehead which is unpleassing and cataphysical. De Quincey.
CATAPLASMCat"a*plasm, n. Etym: [L. cataplasma, Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A soft and moist substance applied externally to some part of the body; a poultice. Dunglison.
CATAPLEXYCat"a*plex`y, n. [Gr. amazement: cf. Apoplexy.] (Med.)
Defn: A morbid condition caused by an overwhelming shock or extreme fear and marked by rigidity of the muscles. — Cat`a*plec"tic (#), a.
CATAPUCECat"a*puce, n. Etym: [F.] (Bot.)
Defn: Spurge. [Obs.]
CATAPULTCat"a*pult, n. Etym: [L. catapulta, Gr.
1. (Mil. Antiq.)
Defn: An engine somewhat resembling a massive crossbow, used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for throwing stones, arrows, spears, etc.
2. A forked stick with elasti band for throwing small stones, etc.
CATARACTCat"a*ract, n. Etym: [L. cataracta, catarracles, a waterfall, Gr.
1. A great fall of water over a precipice; a large waterfall.
2. (Surg.)
Defn: An opacity of the crystalline lens, or of its capsule, which prevents the passage of the rays of light and impairs or destroys the sight.
3. (Mach.)
Defn: A kind of hydraulic brake for regulating the action of pumping engines and other machines; — sometimes called dashpot.
CATARACTOUSCat`a*rac"tous, a.
Defn: Of the nature of a cataract in the eye; affected with cataract.
CATARRHCa*tarrh", n. Etym: [L. catarrhus, Gr. Stream.] (Med.)
Defn: An inflammatory affection of any mucous membrane, in which there are congestion, swelling, and an altertion in the quantity and quality of mucus secreted; as catarrh of the stomach; catarrh of the bladder.
Note: In America, the term catarrh is applied especially to a chronic inflammation of, and hypersecretion fron, the membranes of the nose or air passages; in England, to an acute influenza, resulting a cold, and attended with cough, thirst, lassitude, and watery eyes; also, to the cold itself.
CATARRHALCa*tarrh"al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, produced by, or attending, catarrh; of the nature of catarrh.
CATARRHINECat"ar*rhine, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Catarrhina, a division of Quadrumana, including the Old World monkeys and apes which have the nostrils close together and turned downward. See Monkey.
CATARRHOUSCa*tarrh"ous, a.
Defn: Catarrhal. [R.]
CATASTALTICCat`a*stal"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Checking evacutions through astringent or styptic qualities.
CATASTASISCa*tas"ta*sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
1. (Rhet.)
Defn: That part of a speech, usually the exordium, in which the orator sets forth the subject matter to be discussed.
2. (Med.)
Defn: The state, or condition of anything; constitution; habit of body.
CATASTERISMCa*tas"ter*ism, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A placing among the stars; a catalogue of stars.The catasterisms of Eratosthenes. Whewell.
CATASTROPHECa*tas"tro*phe, n. Etym: [L. catastropha, Gr.
1. An event producing a subversion of the order or system of things; a final event, usually of a calamitous or disastrous nature; hence, sudden calamity; great misfortune. The strange catastrophe of affairs now at London. Bp. Buret. The most horrible and portentous catastrophe that nature ever yet saw. Woodward.
2. The final event in a romance or a dramatic piece; a denouement, as a death in a tragedy, or a marriage in a comedy.
3. (Geol.)
Defn: A violent and widely extended change in the surface of the earth, as, an elevation or subsidence of some part of it, effected by internal causes. Whewell.
CATASTROPHICCat`a*stroph"ic, a.
Defn: Of a pertaining to a catastrophe. B. Powell.
CATASTROPHISMCa*tas"tro*phism, n. (Geol.)
Defn: The doctrine that the geological changes in the earth's crust have been caused by the sudden action of violent physical causes; — opposed to the doctrine of uniformism.
CATASTROPHISTCa*tas"tro*phist, n. (Geol.)
Defn: One who holds the theory or catastrophism.
CATAWBACa*taw"ba, n.
1. A well known light red variety of American grape.
2. A light-colored, sprightly American wine from the Catawba grape.
CATAWBASCa*taw"bas, n. pl.
Defn: ; sing. Catawba. (Ethnol.) An appalachian tribe of Indians which originally inhabited the regions near the Catawba river and the head waters of the Santee.
CATBIRDCat"bird, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An American bird (Galeoscoptes Carolinensis), allied to the mocking bird, and like it capable of imitating the notes of other birds, but less perfectly. Its note resembles at times the mewing of a cat.
CATBOATCat"boat`, n. (Naut.)
Defn: A small sailboat, with a single mast placed as far forward as possible, carring a sail extended by a graff and long boom. See Illustration in Appendix.
CATCALLCat"call`, n.
Defn: A sound like the cry of a cat, such as is made in playhouses to express dissatisfaction with a play; also, a small shrill instrument for making such a noise. Upon the rising of the curtain. I was very much surprised with the great consort of catcalls which was exhibited. Addison.
CATCH Catch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Caught or Catched (; p. pr. & vb. n. Catching. Catched is rarely used.] Etym: [OE. cacchen, OF. cachier, dialectic form of chacier to hunt, F. chasser, fr. (assumend) LL. captiare, for L. capture, V. intens. of capere to take, catch. See Capacious, and cf. Chase, Case a box.]
1. To lay hold on; to seize, especially with the hand; to grasp (anything) in motion, with the effect of holding; as, to catch a ball.
2. To seize after pursuing; to arrest; as, to catch a thief. "They pursued . . . and caught him." Judg. i. 6.
3. To take captive, as in a snare or net, or on a hook; as, to catch a bird or fish.