4. Hence: To insnare; to entangle. "To catch him in his words". Mark xii. 13.
5. To seize with the senses or the mind; to apprehend; as, to catch a melody. "Fiery thoughts . . . whereof I catch the issue." Tennyson.
6. To communicate to; to fasten upon; as, the fire caught the adjoining building.
7. To engage and attach; to please; to charm. The soothing arts that catch the fair. Dryden.
8. To get possession of; to attain. Torment myself to catch the English throne. Shak.
9. To take or receive; esp. to take by sympathy, contagion, infection, or exposure; as, to catch the spirit of an occasion; to catch the measles or smallpox; to catch cold; the house caught fire.
10. To come upon unexpectedly or by surprise; to find; as, to catch one in the act of stealing.
11. To reach in time; to come up with; as, to catch a train. To catch fire, to become inflamed or ignited. — to catch it to get a scolding or beating; to suffer punishment. [Colloq.] — To catch one's eye, to interrupt captiously while speaking. [Colloq.] "You catch me up so very short." Dickens. — To catch up, to snatch; to take up suddenly.
CATCHCatch, v. i.
1. To attain possession. [Obs.] Have is have, however men do catch. Shak.
2. To be held or impeded by entanglement or a light obstruction; as, a kite catches in a tree; a door catches so as not to open.
3. To take hold; as, the bolt does not catch.
4. To spread by, or as by, infecting; to communicate. Does the sedition catch from man to man Addison. To catch at, to attempt to seize; to be egger to get or use. "[To] catch at all opportunities of subverting the state." Addison. — To catch up with, to come up with; to overtake.
CATCHCatch, n.
1. Act of seizing; a grasp. Sir P. Sidney.
2. That by which anything is caught or temporarily fastened; as, the catch of a gate.
3. The posture of seizing; a state of preparation to lay hold of, or of watching he opportunity to seize; as, to lie on the catch. [Archaic] Addison. The common and the canon law . . . lie at catch, and wait advantages one againt another. T. Fuller.
4. That which is caught or taken; profit; gain; especially, the whole quantity caught or taken at one time; as, a good catch of fish. Hector shall have a great catch if he knock out either of your brains. Shak.
5. Something desirable to be caught, esp. a husband or wife in matrimony. [Colloq.] Marryat.
6. pl.
Defn: Passing opportunities seized; snatches.It has been writ by catches with many intervals. Locke.
7. A slight remembrance; a trace. We retain a catch of those pretty stories. Glanvill.
8. (Mus.)
Defn: A humorous canon or round, so contrived that the singers catch up each other's words.
CATCHABLECatch"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being caught. [R.]
CATCH-BASINCatch"-ba`sin, n.
Defn: A cistern or vault at the point where a street gutter discharges into a sewer, to oatch bulky matters which would not pass readly throught the sewer. Knight.
CATCH CROPCatch crop.
Defn: Any crop grown between the rows of another crop or intermediate between two crops in ordinary rotation in point of time. — Catch"- crop`ping, n.
Radishes . . . are often grown as a catch crop with other vegetables.L. H. Bailey.
CATCHDRAINCatch"drain`, n.
Defn: A dich or drain along the side of a hill to catch the surface water; also, a ditch at the side of a canal to catch the surplus water.
CATCHERCatch"er, n.
1. One who, or that which, catches.
2. (Baseball)
Defn: The player who stands behind the batsman to catch the ball.
CATCHFLYCatch"fly, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A plant with the joints of the stem, and sometimes other parts, covered with a viscid secretion to which small insects adhere. The species of Silene are examples of the catchfly.
CATCHINGCatch"ing a.
1. Infections; contagious.
2. Captavating; alluring.
CATCHINGCatch"ing, n.
Defn: The act of seizing or taking hold of Catching bargain (Law), a bargain made with an heir expectant for the purchase of his expectancy at an inadequate price. Bouvier.
CATCH-MEADOWCatch"-mead`ow, n.
Defn: meadow irrigated by water from a spring or rivulet on the side of hill.
CATCHMENTCatch"ment, n.
Defn: A surface of ground on which water may be caught and collected into a reservoir.
CATCHPENNYCatch"pen*ny, a.
Defn: Made or contrived for getting small sums of money from the ignorant or unwary; as, a catchpenny book; a catchpenny show. — n.
Defn: Some worthless catchpenny thing.
CATCHPOLLCatch"poll`, n. Etym: [OF. chacepol, chacipol.]
Defn: A bailiff's assistant.
CATCH TITLECatch title.
Defn: A short expressive title used for abbreviated book lists, etc.
CATCHUP; CATSUP Catch"up, Cat"sup, n. Etym: [Probably of East Indian origin, because it was originally a kind of East Indian pickles.]
Defn: A table sauce made from mushrooms, tomatoes, walnuts, etc.[Written also ketchup.]
CATCHWATERCatch"wa`ter, n.
Defn: A ditch or drain for catching water. See Catchdrain.
CATCHWEEDCatch"weed`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: See Cleavers.
CATCHWEIGHTCatch"weight`, adv. (Horseracing)
Defn: Without any additional weight; without being handicapped; as, to ride catchweight.
CATCHWORDCatch"word`, n.
1. Among theatrical performers, the last word of the preceding speaker, which reminds one that he is to speak next; cue.
2. (Print.)
Defn: The first word of any page of a book after the first, inserted at the right hand bottom corner of the preceding page for the assistance of the reader. It is seldom used in modern printing.
3. A word or phrase caught up and repeated for effect; as, the catchword of a political party, etc.
CATCHWORKCatch"work`, n.
Defn: A work or artificial watercourse for throwing water on lands that lie on the slopes of hills; a catchdrain.
CATCHYCatch"y, a.
1. Apt or tending to catch the fancy or attention; catching; taking; as, catchy music.
2. Tending to catch or insnare; entangling; — usually used fig.; as, a catchy question.
3. Consisting of, or occuring in, disconnected parts or snatches; changeable; as, a catchy wind.
It [the fox's scent] is . . . flighty or catchy, if variable.Encyc. of Sport.
CATECate, n.
Defn: Food. [Obs.] See Cates.
CATECHETIC; CATECHETICALCat`e*chet"ic, Cat`e*chet"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. Catechise.]
Defn: Relating to or consisting in, asking questions and receiving answers, according to the ancient manner of teaching. Socrates introduced a catechetical method of arguing. Addison.
CATECHETICALLYCat`e*chet"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a catechetical manner; by question and answer.
CATECHETICSCat`e*chet"ics, n.
Defn: The science or practice of instructing by questions and answers.
CATECHINCat"e*chin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: One of the tannic acids, extracted from catechu as a white, crystaline substance; — called also catechuic acid, and catechuin.
CATECHISATIONCat`e*chi*sa"tion, n. Etym: [LL. catechizatio.]
Defn: The act of catechising.
CATECHISECat"e*chise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Catechised; p. pr. & vb. n.Catechising.] Etym: [L. catechizare, Gr.
1. To instruct by asking questions, receiving answeres, and offering explanations and corrections, — esp. in regard to points of religious faith.
2. To question or interrogate; to examine or try by questions; — sometimes with a view to reproof, by eliciting from a person answers which condemn his own conduct. Swift.
CATECHISERCat"e*chi`ser, n.
Defn: One who catechises.
CATECHISMCat"e*chism, n. Etym: [L. catechismus, fr. Gr. See Catechise.]
1. A form of instruction by means of questions answers.
2. A book containing a summary of principles, especially of religious doctrine, reduced to the form of questions and answers. The Jews, even till this day, have their catechisms. Hooker. The Larger Catechism, The Shorter Catechism. See Westminster Assembly, under Assembly.
CATECHISMALCat`e*chis"mal, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a catechism, having the form of questions and answers; catechical.
CATECHISTCat"e*chist, n. Etym: [L. catechista, fr. Gr.]
Defn: One who instructs by question and answer, especially in religions matters.
CATECHISTIC; CATECHISTICALCat`e*chis"tic, Cat`e*chis"tic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a catechist or to a catechism. Dr. H. More.
CATECHIZECat"e*chize, v. t.
Defn: See Catechise.
CATECHUCat"e*chu, n. Etym: [See Cashoo.] (Chem.)
Defn: A dry, brown, astringent extract, obtained by decoction and evaporation from the Acacia catechu, and several other plants growing in India. It contains a large portion of tannin or tannic acid, and is used in medicine and in the arts. It is also known by the names terra japonica, cutch, gambier, etc. Ure. Dunglison.
CATECHUICCat`e*chu"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to catechu or its derivatives. See catechin.
CATECHUMENCat"e*chu`men, n. Etym: [L. catechunenus, Gr. Catechise.] (Eccl.)
Defn: One who is receiving rudimentary instruction in the doctrines of Christianity; a neophyte; in the primitive church, one officially recognized as a Christian, and admitted to instruction preliminary to admission to full membership in the church.
CATECHUMENATECat`e*chu"men*ate, n.
Defn: The state or condition of a catechumen or the time during which one is a catechumen.
CATECHUMENICALCat`e*chu*men"i*cal, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to catechumens; as, catechumenical instructions.
CATECHUMENISTCat`e*chu"men*ist, n.
Defn: A catechumen. Bp. Morton.
CATEGOREMATICCat`e*gor`e*mat"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. Category.] (Logic.)
Defn: Capable of being employed by itself as a term; — said of a word.
CATEGORICALCat`e*gor"ic*al, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a category.
2. Not hypothetical or relative; admitting no conditions or exceptions; declarative; absolute; positive; express; as, a categorical proposition, or answer. The scriptures by a multitude of categorical and intelligible decisions . . . distinguish between the things seen and temporal and those that are unseen and eternal. I. Taylor.
CATEGORICALLYCat`e*gor"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: Absolutely; directly; expressly; positively; as, to affirm categorically.
CATEGORICALNESSCat`e*gor"ic*al*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being categorical, positive, or absolute. A.Marvell.
CATEGORISTCat"e*go*rist, n.
Defn: One who inserts in a category or list; one who classifies.Emerson.
CATEGORIZECat"e*go*rize, v. t.
Defn: To insert in a category or list; to class; to catalogue.
CATEGORYCat"e*go*ry, n.; pl. Categories Etym: [L. categoria, Gr.
1. (Logic.)
Defn: One of the highest classes to which the objects of knowledge or thought can be reduced, and by which they can be arranged in a system; an ultimate or undecomposable conception; a predicament. The categories or predicaments — the former a Greek word, the latter its literal translation in the Latin language — were intended by Aristotle and his followers as an enumeration of all things capable of being named; an enumeration by the summa genera i.e., the most extensive classes into which things could be distributed. J. S. Mill.
2. Class; also, state, condition, or predicament; as, we are both in the same category. There is in modern literature a whole class of writers standing within the same category. De Quincey.
CATELCat"el, n. Etym: [See Chattel.]
Defn: Property; — often used by Chaucer in contrast with rent, orincome."For loss of catel may recovered be, But loss of tyme shendeth us,"quod he. Chaucer.
CATELECTRODECat`e*lec"trode, n. Etym: [Pref. cata + elecrode.] (Physics)
Defn: The negative electrode or pole of a voltaic battery. Faraday.
CATELECTROTONICCat`e*lec`tro*ton"ic, a. (Physics)
Defn: Relating to, or characterized by, catelectrotonus.
CATELECTROTONUSCat`e*lec*trot"o*nus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Electro-) + (Physics)
Defn: The condition of increased irritability of a nerve in the region of the cathode or negative electrode, on the passage of a current of electricity through it.
CATENACa*te"na, n.; pl. Catene. Etym: [L., a chain.]
Defn: A chain or series of things connected with each other.I have . . . in no case sought to construct those catenæ of games,which it seems now the fashion of commentators to link together. C.J. Ellicott.
CATENARY; CATENARIAN Cat"e*na*ry, Cat`e*na"ri*an, a. Etym: [L. catenarius, fr. catena a chain. See Chain.]
Defn: Relating to a chain; like a chain; as, a catenary curve.
CATENARYCat"e*na*ry, n.; pl. Catenaries (. (Geol.)
Defn: The curve formed by a rope or chain of uniform density and perfect flexibility, hanging freely between two points of suspension, not in the same vertical line.
CATENATECat"e*nate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Catenated; p. pr. & vb. n.Catenating.] Etym: [L. catenatus, p. p. of catenare, fr. catenachain. See Chain.]
Defn: To connect, in a series of links or ties; to chain. E. Darwin.
CATENATIONCat`e*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. catenatio.]
Defn: Connection of links or union of parts, as in a chain; a regular or connected series. See Concatenation. Sir T. Browne.
CATENULATECa*ten"u*late, a. Etym: [L. catenuia, dim. of catena chain.]
1. Consisting of little links or chains.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Chainlike; — said both or color marks and of indentations when arranged like the links of a chain, as on shells, etc.
CATER Ca"ter, n. Etym: [OE. catour purchaser, caterer, OF. acator, fr. acater, F. acheter, to buy, provide, fr. LL. accaptare; L. ad + captare to strive, to seize, intens, of capere to take, seize. Cf. Acater, Capacious.]
Defn: A provider; a purveyor; a caterer. [Obs.] Chaucer.
CATERCa"ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Catered; p. pr. & vb. n. Catering.] Etym:[From Cater, n.]
1. To provide food; to buy, procure, or prepare provisions. [He] providently caters for the sparrow. Shak.
2. By extension: To supply what is needed or desired, at theatrical or musical entertainments; — followed by for or to.
CATERCa"ter, n. Etym: [F. quatre four.]
Defn: The four of cards or dice.
CATERCa"ter, v. t.
Defn: To cut diagonally. [Obs.] Halliwell.
CATERANCat"e*ran, n. Etym: [Gael. ceatharnach. Cf. Kern Irish foot soldier.]
Defn: A Highland robber: a kind of irregular soldier. [Scot.] Sir W.Scott.
CATER-CORNEREDCa"ter-cor"nered, a. Etym: [Cf. Cater to cut diagonally.]
Defn: Diagonal. [Colloq.]
CATER-COUSINCa"ter-cous`in, n.
Defn: A remote relation. See Quater-cousin. Shak.
CATERERCa"ter*er, n.
Defn: One who caters.The little fowls in the air have God for Their provider and caterer.Shelton.
CATERESSCa"ter*ess, n.
Defn: A woman who caters. Milton.
CATERPILLAR Cat"er*pil`lar, n. Etym: [OE. catyrpel, corrupted fr. OF. chatepelouse, or cate pelue, fr. chate, F. chatte, she-cat, fem. of chat, L. catus + L. pilosus hairy, or F. pelu hairy, fr. L. pilus hair. See Cat, and Pile hair.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The larval state of a butterfly or any lepidopterous insect; sometimes, but less commonly, the larval state of other insects, as the sawflies, which are also called false caterpillars. The true caterpillars have three pairs of true legs, and several pairs of abdominal fleshy legs (prolegs) armed with hooks. Some are hairy, others naked. They usually feed on leaves, fruit, and succulent vegetables, being often very destructive, Many of them are popularly called worms, as the cutworm, cankerworm, army worm, cotton worm, silkworm.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: A plant of the genus Scorpiurus, with pods resembling caterpillars. Caterpillar catcher, or Caterpillar eater (Zoöl.), a bird belonging to the family of Shrikes, which feeds on caterpillars. The name is also given to several other birds. — Caterpillar hunter (Zoöl.), any species of beetles of the genus Callosoma and other allied genera of the family Carabidæ which feed habitually upon caterpillars.
CATERWAULCat"er*waul, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Caterwauled; p. pr. & vb. n.Caterwauling.] Etym: [Cat + waul, wawl, to cry as a cat.]
Defn: To cry as cats in rutting time; to make a harsh, offensive noise. Coleridge.
CATERWAULCat"er*waul, n.
Defn: A caterwauling.
CATERWAULINGCat"er*waul`ing, n.
Defn: The cry of cats; a harsh, disagreeable noise or cry like the cry of cats. Shak.
CATERYCa"ter*y, n. Etym: [See Cater, n.]
Defn: The place where provisions are deposited. [Obs.]
CATESCates, n. pl. Etym: [Cf. Acates, and see Cater, n.]
Defn: Provisions; food; viands; especially, luxurious food;delicacies; dainties. Shak.Cates for which Apicius could not pay. Shurchill.Choicest cates and the fiagon's best spilth. R. Browning.
CAT-EYEDCat"-eyed`, a.
Defn: Having eyes like a cat; hence, able to see in the dark.
CATFALLCat"fall`, n. (Naut.)
Defn: A rope used in hoisting the anchor to the cathead. Totten.
CATFISHCat"fish`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A name given in the United States to various species of siluroid fishes; as, the yellow cat (Amiurus natalis); the bind cat (Gronias nigrilabrus); the mud cat (Pilodictic oilwaris), the stone cat (Noturus flavus); the sea cat (Arius felis), etc. This name is also sometimes applied to the wolf fish. See Bullhrad.
CATGUTCat"gut`, n. Etym: [Cat + gut.]
1. A cord of great toughness made from the intestines of animals, esp. of sheep, used for strings of musical instruments, etc.
2. A sort of linen or canvas, with wide interstices.
CATHARINE WHEELCath"a*rine wheel`.
Defn: See catherine wheel.
CATHARISTCath"a*rist, n. Etym: [LL. catharista, fr. Gr.
Defn: One aiming at or pretending to a greater purity of like than others about him; — applied to persons of various sects. See Albigenses.
CAT-HARPINCat"-harp`in, n.
Defn: See Cat-harping.
CAT-HARPINGCat"-harp`ing n. (Naut.)
Defn: One of the short ropes or iron cramps used to brace in the shrouds toward the masts so a to give freer sweep to the yards.
CATHARSISCa*thar"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Cathartic.] (Med.)
Defn: A natural or artificial purgation of any passage, as of the mouth, bowels, etc.
CATHARTIC; CATHARICALCa*thar"tic, Ca*thar"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. chaste.]
1. (Med.)
Defn: Cleansing the bowels; promoting evacuations by stool; purgative.
2. Of or pertaining to the purgative principle of senna, as cathartic acid.
CATHARTICCa*thar"tic, n. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A medicine that promotes alvine discharges; a purge; a purgative of moderate activity.
Note: The cathartics are more energetic and certain in action that the laxatives, which simply increase the tendency to alvine evacuation; and less powerful and irritaint that the drastic purges, which cause profuse, repeated, and watery evacuations. — Ca*thar"tic*al*ly, adv. — Ca*thar"tic*al*ness, n.
CATHARTIN ca*thar"tin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: The bitter, purgative principle of senna. It is a glucoside with the properties of a weak acid; — called also cathartic acid, and cathartina.
CATHAYCa*thay", n.
Defn: China; — an old name for the Celestial Empire, said have been introduced by Marco Polo and to be a corruption of the Tartar name for North China (Khitai, the country of the Khitans.) Better fifty years of Europe than a cycle of Cathay. Tennyson.
CATHEADCat"head`, n. (Naut.)
Defn: A projecting piece of timber or iron near the bow of vessel, to which the anchor is hoisted and secured.
CATHEDRACath"e*dra, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. Chair.]
Defn: The official chair or throne of a bishop, or of any person in high authority. Ex cathedra Etym: [L., from the chair], in the exercise of one's office; with authority. The Vatican Council declares that the Pope, is infallible "when he speaks ex cathedra." Addis & Arnold's Cath. Dict.
CATHEDRAL Ca*the"dral, n. Etym: [LL. cathedralis (sc. ecclesia): cf. F. cathédrale. See Cathedra.]
Defn: The principal church in a diocese, so called because in it the bishop has his official chair (Cathedra) or throne.
CATHEDRALCa*the"dral, a. Etym: [LL. cathedralis: cf. F. cathédral.]
1. Pertaining to the head church of a diocese; as, a cathedral church; cathedral service.
2. Emanating from the chair of office, as of a pope or bishop; official; authoritative. Now, what solemnity can be more required for the pope to make a cathedral determination of an article! Jer. Taylor.
3. Resembling the aisles of a cathedral; as, cathedral walks. Pope.
CATHEDRALICCath`e*dral"ic, a.
Defn: Cathedral. [R.]
CATHEDRATEDCath`e*dra"ted, a. Etym: [From Cathedra.]
Defn: Relating to the chair or office of a teacher. [Obs.]
CATHERETICCath`e*ret"ic, n. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A mild kind caustic used to reduce warts and other excrescences. Dunglison.
CATHERINE WHEELCath"er*ine wheel`. Etym: [So called from St. Catherine ofAlexandria, who is represented with a wheel, in allusion to hermartyrdom.]
1. (Geoth.Arth.)
Defn: Same as Rose window and Wheel window. Called also Catherine- wheel window.
2. (Pyrotechny)
Defn: A revolving piece of fireworks resembling in form the window of the same name. [Written also Catharine wheel.]
CATHETERCath"e*ter, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: The name of various instruments for passing along mucous canals, esp. applied to a tubular instrument to be introduced into the bladder through the urethra to draw off the urine. Eustachian catheter. See under Eustachian. — Prostatic catheter, one adapted for passing an enlarged prostate.
CATHETERISM; CATHETERIZATIONCath"e*ter*ism, Cath`e*ter*i*za"tion, n. (Med.)
Defn: The operation of introducing a catheter.
CATHETERIZECath"e*ter*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Catheterized; p. pr. & vb. n.Catheterizing.] (Med.)
Defn: To operate on with a catheter. Dunglison.
CATHETOMETERCath`e*tom"e*ter, n. Etym: [From Gr. -meter.]
Defn: An instrument for the accurate measurement of small differences of height; esp. of the differences in the height of the upper surfaces of two columns of mercury or other fluid, or of the same column at different times. It consists of a telescopic leveling apparatus (d), which slides up or down a perpendicular metallic standard very finely graduated (bb). The telescope is raised or depressed in order to sight the objects or surfaces, and the differences in vertical height are thus shown on the graduated standard. [Written also kathetometer.]
CATHETUSCath"e*tus, n.; pl. catheti. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. Catheter.] (Geom.)
Defn: One line or radius falling perpendicularly on another; as, the catheti of a right-angled triangle, that is, the two sides that include the right angle. Barlow.
CATHODECath"ode, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physics)
Defn: The part of a voltaic battery by which the electric current leaves substances through which it passes, or the surface at which the electric current passes out of the electrolyte; the negative pole; — opposed to anode. Faraday. Cathode ray (Phys.), a kind of ray generated at the cathode in a vacuum tube, by the electrical discharge.
CATHODICCa*thod"ic, a. (Physiol.)
Defn: A term applied to the centrifugal, or efferent course of the nervous infuence. Marshall Hall.
CATHODOGRAPH; CATHODEGRAPHCa*thod"o*graph, n. Also Ca*thod"e*graph. [Cathode + -graph.](Physics)
Defn: A picture produced by the Röntgen rays; a radiograph.
CAT-HOLECat"-hole`, n. (Naut.)
Defn: One of two small holes astern, above the gunroom ports, through which hawsers may be passed.
CATHOLICCath"o*lic, a. Etym: [L. catholicus, Gr. solid: cf. F. catholique.]
1. Universal or general; as, the catholic faith. Men of other countries [came] to bear their part in so great and catholic a war. Southey.
Note: This epithet, which is applicable to the whole Christian church, or its faith, is claimed by Roman Catholics to belong especially to their church, and in popular usage is so limited.
2. Not narrow-minded, partial, or bigoted; liberal; as, catholic tastes.
3. Of or pertaining to, or affecting the Roman Catholics; as, the Catholic emancipation act. Catholic epistles, the espistles of the apostles which are addressed to all the faithful, and not to a particular church; being those of James, Peter, Jude, and John.
CATHOLICCath"o*lic, n.
1. A person who accepts the creeds which are received in common by all parts of the orthodox Christian church.
2. An adherent of the Roman Catholic church; a Roman Catholic. Old Catholic, the name assumed in 1870 by members of the Roman Catholic church, who denied the ecumenical character of the Vatican Council, and Rejected its decrees, esp. that concerning the infallibility of the pope, as contrary to the ancient Catholic faith.
CATHOLICALCa*thol"i*cal, a.
Defn: Catholic. [Obs.]
CATHOLICISMCa*thol"i*cism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. catholicisme.]
1. The state or quality of being catholic or universal; catholicity. Jer. Taylor.
2. Liberality of sentiment; breadth of view.
3. The faith of the whole orthodox Christian church, or adherence thereto.
4. The doctrines or faith of the Roman Catholic church, or adherence thereto.
CATHOLICITYCath`o*lic"i*ty, n.
1. The state or quality of being catholic; universality.
2. Liberality of sentiments; catholicism.
3. Adherence or conformity to the system of doctrine held by all parts of the orthodox Christian church; the doctrine so held; orthodoxy.
4. Adherence to the doctrines of the church of Rome, or the doctrines themselves.
CATHOLICIZECa*thol"i*cize, v. t. & i.
Defn: To make or to become catholic or Roman Catholic.
CATHOLICLYCath"o*lic*ly, adv.
Defn: In a catholic manner; generally; universally. Sir L. Cary.
CATHOLICNESSCath"o*lic*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being catholic; universality; catholicity.
CATHOLICONCa*thol"i*con, n. Etym: [Gr. Catholic.] (Med.)
Defn: A remedy for all diseases; a panacea.
CATHOLICOSCa*thol"i*cos, n. Etym: [NL. See Catholic.] (Eccl.)
Defn: The spiritual head of the Armenian church, who resides atEtchmiadzin, Russia, and has ecclesiastical jurisdiction over, andconsecrates the holy oil for, the Armenians of Russia, Turkey, andPersia, including the Patriarchs of Constantinople, Jerusalem, andSis.
Note: The Patriarch of Constantinople is the civil head of theArmenians in Turkey.
CATILINARIANCat`i*li*na"ri*an, a. Etym: [L. Catilinarius.]
Defn: Pertaining to Catiline, the Roman conspirator; resemblingCatiline's conspiracy.
CATIONCat"i*on, n. Etym: [Gr. p. pr. of (Chem.)
Defn: An electro-positive substance, which in electro-decomposition is evolved at the cathode; — opposed to anion. Faraday.
CATKINCat"kin, n. Etym: [Cat + -kin.] (Bot.)
Defn: An ament; a species of inflorescence, consisting of a slender axis with many unisexual apetalous flowers along its sides, as in the willow and poplar, and (as to the staminate flowers) in the chestnut, oak, hickory, etc. — so called from its resemblance to a cat's tail. See Illust. of Ament.
CATLIKECat"like`, a.
Defn: Like a cat; stealthily; noiselessly.
CATLINGCat"ling, n. Etym: [Cat + -ing.]
1. A little cat; a kitten. "Cat nor catling." Drummond.
2. Catgut; a catgut string. [R.] Shak.
3. (Surg.)
Defn: A double-edged, sharp-pointed dismembering knife. [Spelt also catlin.] Crobb.
CATLINITECat"lin*ite, n. Etym: [From George Catlin, an American traveler.]
Defn: A red clay from the Upper Missouri region, used by the Indians for their pipes.
CATNIP; CATMINTCat"nip`, Cat"mint`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A well-know plant of the genus Nepeta (N. Cataria), somewhat like mint, having a string scent, and sometimes used in medicine. It is so called because cats have a peculiar fondness for it.
CATO-CATHARTICCat`o-ca*thar"tic, n. Etym: [Gr. Cathartic.] (Med.)
Defn: A remedy that purges by alvine discharges.
CATONIANCa*to"ni*an, a. Etym: [L. Catonionus.]
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the stern old Roman, Cato theCensor; severe; inflexible.
CAT O' NINE TAILSCat" o' nine" tails`.
Defn: See under Cat.
CATOPRONCa*top"ron, n. [Obs.]
Defn: See Catopter.
CATOPTER; CATOPTRONCa*top"ter, Ca*top"tron, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A reflecting optical glass or instrument; a mirror. [Obs.]
CATOPTRIC; CATOPTRICALCa*top"tric, Ca*top"tric*al, a. Etym: [Gr. Catopter.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to catoptrics; produced by reflection. Catoptric light, a light in which the rays are concentrated by reflectors into a beam visible at a distance.
CATOPTRICSCa*top"trics, n. Etym: [Cf. F. catoptrique. See Catropric.] (Physics)
Defn: That part of optics which explants the properties and phenomena of reflected light, and particularly that which is reflected from mirrors or polished bodies; —- formerly caled anacamptics.
CATOPTROMANCYCa*top"tro*man`cy, n. Etym: [Gr. -mancy. See Catopter.] (Antiq.)
Defn: A species of divination, which was perforned by letting down a mirror into water, for a sick person to look at his face in it. If his countenance appeared distorted and ghastly, it was an ill omen; if fresh and healthy, it was favorable.
CATPIPECat`pipe", n.
Defn: See Catcall.
CAT-RIGGEDCat"-rigged`, a.
Defn: Rigged like a catboat.
CAT-SALTCat"-salt`, n.
Defn: A sort of salt, finely granulated, formed out of the bittern or leach brine.
CAT'S-EYECat's"-eye`, n. (Min.)
Defn: A variety of quartz or chalcedony, exhibiting opalescent reflections from within, like the eye of a cat. The mane is given to other gems affording like effects, esp. the chrysoberyl.
CAT'S-FOOTCat's`-foot, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A plant (Nepeta Glechoma) of the same genus with catnip; ground ivy.
CAT-SILVERCat"-sil`ver, n.
Defn: Mica. [Archaic]
CATSKILL PERIODCats"kill pe`ri*od. (Geol.)
Defn: The closing subdivision of the Devonian age in America. The rocks of this period are well developed in the Catskill mountains, and extend south and west under the Carboniferous formation. See the Diagram under Geology.
CATSOCat"so, n.; pl. Catsos. Etym: [It. cazzo.]
Defn: A base fellow; a rogue; a cheat. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
CAT'S-PAWCat's"-paw`, n.
1. (Naut.) (a) A light transitory air which ruffles the surface of the water during a calm, or the ripples made by such a puff of air. (b) A particular hitch or turn in the bight of a rope, into which a tackle may be hooked.
2. A dupe; a tool; one who, or that which, is used by another as an instrument to a accomplish his purposes.
Note: In this sense the term refers to the fable of the monkey using the cat's paw to draw the roasting chestnuts out of the fire.
CAT'S-TAILCat's"-tail, n.
Defn: See Timothy, Cat-tail, Cirrus.
CATSTICKCat"stick`, n.
Defn: A stick or club employed in the game of ball called cat or tipcat. Massinger.
CATSTITCHCat"stitch, v. t. (Needlework)
Defn: To fold and sew down the edge of with a coarse zigzag stitch.
CATSUPCat"sup, n.
Defn: Same as Catchup, and Ketchup.
CAT-TAILCat"-tail, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A tall rush or flag (Typha latifolia) growing in marshes, with long, glat leaves, and having its flowers in a close cylindrical spike at the top of the stem. The leaves are frequently used for seating chairs, making mats, etc. See Catkin.
Note: The lesser cat-tail is Typha angustifolia.
CATTISHCat"tish, a.
Defn: Catlike; feline Drummond.
CATTLE Cat"tle, n. pl. Etym: [OE. calet, chatel, goods, property, OF. catel, chatel, LL. captale, capitale, goods, property, esp. cattle, fr. L. capitals relating to the head, chief; because in early ages beasts constituted the chief part of a man's property. See Capital, and cf. Chattel.]
Defn: Quadrupeds of the Bovine family; sometimes, also, including all domestic quadrupeds, as sheep, goats, horses, mules, asses, and swine. Belted cattle, Black cattle. See under Belted, Black. — Cattle guard, a trench under a railroad track and alongside a crossing (as of a public highway). It is intended to prevent cattle from getting upon the track. — cattle louse (Zoöl.), any species of louse infecting cattle. There are several species. The Hæmatatopinus eurysternus and H. vituli are common species which suck blood; Trichodectes scalaris eats the hair. — Cattle plague, the rinderpest; called also Russian cattle plague. — Cattle range, or Cattle run, an open space through which cattle may run or range. [U. S.] Bartlett. — Cattle show, an exhibition of domestic animals with prizes for the encouragement of stock breeding; — usually accompanied with the exhibition of other agricultural and domestic products and of implements.
CATTYCat"ty, n. Etym: [Malay kati. See Caddy.]
Defn: An East Indian Weight of 11/3 pounds.
CAUCASIANCau*ca"sian, a.
1. Of or pertaining to the Caucasus, a mountainous region between the Black and Caspian seas.
2. Of or pertaining to the white races of mankind, of whom the people about Mount Caucasus were formerly taken as the type.
CAUCASIANCau*ca"sian, n.
1. A native or inhabitant of the Caucasus, esp. a Circassian or Georgian.
2. A member of any of the white races of mankind.
CAUCUS Cau"cus, n. Etym: [Etymology uncertain. Mr. J. H. Trumbull finds the origin of caucus in the N. A. Indian word cawcawwassough or caú cau- as'u one who urges or pushes on, a promoter. See citation for an early use of the word caucus.]
Defn: A meeting, especially a preliminary meeting, of persons belonging to a party, to nominate candidates for public office, or to select delegates to a nominating convention, or to confer regarding measures of party policy; a political primary meeting. This day learned that the caucus club meets, at certain times, in the garret of Tom Dawes, the adjutant of the Boston regiment. John Adams's Diary [Feb. , 1763].
CAUCUSCau"cus, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Caucused; p. pr. & vb. n. Caucusing.]
Defn: To hold, or meet in, a caucus or caucuses.
CAUDADCau"dad, adv. Etym: [L. cauda tail + ad to.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Backwards; toward the tail or posterior part.
CAUDA GALLICau"da gal*li, (. Etym: [L., tail of a cock.] (Paleon.)
Defn: A plume-shaped fossil, supposed to be a seaweed, characteristic of the lower Devonian rocks; as, the cauda galli grit. Gauda galli epoch (Geol.), an epoch at the begining of the Devonian age in eastern America, so named from the characteristic gritty sandstone marked with impressions of cauda galli. See the Diagram under Geology.
CAUDALCau"dal, a. Etym: [L. Cauda tail. Cf. Coward.]
Defn: Of the nature of, or pertaining to, a tail; having a tail-likeappendage.The male widow-bird, remarkable for his caudal plumes. Darwin.Caudal fin (Zoöl.), the terminal fin (or "tail") of a fish.
CAUDATACau*da"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. cauda tail.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Urodela.
CAUDATE; CAUDATEDCau"date, Cau"da*ted. a. Etym: [L. cauda tail.]
Defn: Having a taill; having a termination like a tail.
CAUDEXCau"dex, n.; pl. L. Caudices, E. Caudexes. Etym: [L.] (Bot.)
Defn: The sterm of a tree., esp. a sterm without a branch, as of a palm or a tree fern; also, the pernnial rootstock of an herbaceous plant.
CAUDICLE; CAUDICULA Cau"di*cle, Cau*dic"u*la, n. Etym: [Dim. of L. cauda tail, appendage.] (Bot.)
Defn: A slender, elastic process, to which the masses of pollen in orchidaceous plants are attached.
CAUDLE Cau"dle, n. Etym: [OF. caudel, F. chaudeau, dim. of LL calidum a sweet drink, fr. L. caidus warm. See Caldron.]
Defn: A kind of warm drink for sick persons, being a mixture of wine with eggs, bread, sugar, and spices.
CAUDLECau"dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Caudled; p. pr. & vb. n. Caudling.]
1. To make into caudle.
2. Too serve as a caudle to; to refresh. [R.] Shak.
CAUF Cauf, n. Etym: [Perh. akin to Celtic caff, cav, cau, L. cavus hollow, or to L. caphinus, Gr.
Defn: A chest with holes for keeping fish alive in water. Philips.
CAUFLECau"fle, n.
Defn: A gung of slaves. Same as Coffle.
CAUGHTCaught, imp. & p. p.
Defn: f Catch.
CAUK; CAUKERCauk, n., Cauk"er, n.
Defn: See Cawk, Calker.
CAUL Caul, n. Etym: [OE. calle, kelle, prob. fr. F. cale; cf. Ir. calla a veil.]
1. A covering of network for the head, worn by women; also, a net. Spenser.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: The fold of membrane loaded with fat, which covers more or less of the intestines in mammals; the great omentum See Omentum. The caul serves for warming of the lower belly. Ray.
3. A part of the amnion, one of the membranes enveloping the fetus, which sometimes is round the head of a child at its birth. It is deemed lucky to be with a caul or membrane over the face. This caul is esteemed an infallible preservative against drowning . . . According to Chysostom, the midwives frequently sold it for magic uses. Grose. I was born with a caul, which was advertised for sale, in the newspapers, at the low price of fifteen guineas. Dickens.
CAULESCENTCau*les"cent, a. Etym: [L. caulis stalk, stem: cf. F. caulescent.](Bot.)
Defn: Having a leafy stem.
CAULICLECau"li*cle, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A short caulis or stem, esp. the rudimentary stem seen in the embryo of seed; — otherwise called a radicle.
CAULICULUS Cau*lic"u*lus, n.; pl. Cauliculi Etym: [L. caulculus little stalk, dim. of caulis.] (Arch.)
Defn: In the Corinthian capital, one of the eight stalks rising out of the lower leafage and terminating in leaves which seem to suport the volutes. See Illust. of Corinthian order, under Corinthian.
CAULIFLOWER Cau"li*flow`er, n. Etym: [F. choufleur, modified by E. Cole. L. caulis, and by E. flower; F. chou cabbage is fr. L. caulis stalk, cabbage, and fleur flower is fr. L. flos flower. See Cole, and Flower.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: An annual variety of Brassica oleracea, or cabbage of which the cluster of young flower stalks and buds is eaten as a vegetable.
2. The edible head or "curd" of a caulifower plant.
CAULIFORMCau"li*form, a. Etym: [L. caulis + -form.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having the form of a caulis.
CAULINECau"line, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Growing immediately on a caulis; of or pertaining to a caulis.
CAULISCau"lis, n.; L. pl. Caules. Etym: [L., a stem.] (Bot.)
Defn: An herbaceous or woody stem which bears leaves, and may bear flowers.
CAULKCaulk, v. t. & n.
Defn: See Calk.
CAULOCARPOUSCau`lo*car"pous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having stems which bear flowers and fruit year after year, as most trees and shrubs.
CAULOMECau"lome, n. [Gr. kalo`s stem + -ome as in rhizome.] (Bot.)
Defn: A stem structure or stem axis of a plant, viewed as a whole. —Cau*lom"ic (#), a.
CAUMACau"ma, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Great heat, as of the body in fever.
CAUPONIZE Cau"po*nize, v. i. Etym: [L. cauponari, fr. caupo huckster, innkeeper.]
Defn: To sell wine or victuals. [Obs.] Warburfon.
CAUSABLECaus"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being caused.
CAUSALCaus"al, a. Etym: [L. causalis. See Cause.]
Defn: Relating to a cause or causes; inplying or containing a cause or causes; expressing a cause; causative. Causal propositions are where two propositions are joined by causal words. Watts.
CAUSALCaus"al, n.
Defn: A causal word or form of speech. Anglo-Saxon drencan to drench, causal of Anglo-Saxon drincan to drink. Skeat.
CAUSALITYCau*sal"i*ty, n.; pl. Causalities (.
1. The agency of a cause; the action or power of a cause, in producing its effect. The causality of the divine mind. Whewell.
2. (Phren.)
Defn: The faculty of tracing effects to their causes. G. Combe.
CAUSALLYCaus"al*ly, adv.
Defn: According to the order or series of causes; by tracing effects to causes.
CAUSALLYCaus"al*ly, n. (Mining.)
Defn: The lighter, earthy parts of ore, carried off washing.
CAUSATIONCau*sa"tion, n.
Defn: The act of causing; also the act or agency by which an effect is produced. The kind of causation by which vision is produced. Whewell. Law of universal causation, the theoretical or asserted law that every event or phenomenon results from, or is the sequel of, some previous event or phenomenon, which being present, the other is certain to take place.
CAUSATIONISTCau*sa"tion*ist, n.
Defn: One who believes in the law of universal causation.
CAUSATIVE Caus"a*tive, a. Etym: [L. causativus pertaining to a lawsuit (causa), but in the English sense from E. cause.]
1. Effective, as a cause or agent; causing. Causative in nature of a number of effects. Bacon.
2. Expressing a cause or reason; causal; as, the ablative is a causative case.
CAUSATIVECaus"a*tive, n.
Defn: A word which expresses or suggests a cause.
CAUSATIVELYCaus"a*tive*ly, adv.
Defn: In a causative manner.
CAUSATORCau*sa"tor, n. Etym: [See Cause.]
Defn: One who causes. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
CAUSECause, n. Etym: [F. cause, fr. L. causa. Cf. Cause, v., Kickshaw.]
1. That which produces or effects a result; that from which anything proceeds, and without which it would not exist. Cause is substance exerting its power into act, to make one thing begin to be. Locke.
2. That which is the occasion of an action or state; ground; reason; motive; as, cause for rejoicing.
3. Sake; interest; advantage. [Obs.] I did it not for his cause. 2 Cor. vii. 12.
4. (Law)
Defn: A suit or action in court; any legal process by which a party endeavors to obtain his claim, or what he regards as his right; case; ground of action.
5. Any subject of discussion or debate; matter; question; affair in general. What counsel give you in this weighty cause! Shak.
6. The side of a question, which is espoused, advocated, and upheld by a person or party; a principle which is advocated; that which a person or party seeks to attain. God befriend us, as our cause is just. Shak. The part they take against me is from zeal to the cause. Burke. Efficient cause, the agent or force that produces a change or redult. — Final cause, the end, design, or object, for which anything is done. — Formal cause, the elements of a conception which make the conception or the thing conceived to be what it is; or the idea viewed as a formative principle and coöperating with the matter. — Material cause, that of which anything is made. — Proximate cause. See under Proximate. — To make common cause with, to join with in purposes and aims. Macaulay.
Syn. — Origin; source; mainspring; motive; reason; incitement; inducement; purpose; object; suit; action.
CAUSE Cause, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Caused; p. pr. & v. n. Causing.] Etym: [F. causer, fr. cause, fr. L. causa. See Cause, n., and cf. Acouse.]
Defn: To effect as an agent; to produce; to be the occasion of; to bring about; to bring into existence; to make; — usually followed by an infinitive, sometimes by that with a finite verb. I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days. Gen. vii. 4. Cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans. Col. iv. 16.
Syn. — To create; produce; beget; effect; occasion; originate; induce; bring about.
CAUSECause, v. i.
Defn: To assign or show cause; to give a reason; to make excuse.[Obs.] Spenser.
CAUSECause, conj.
Defn: Abbreviation of Because. B. Jonson.
CAUSEFULCause"ful, n.
Defn: Having a cause. [Obs.]
CAUSELESSCause"less, a.
Defn: 1. Self-originating; uncreated.
2. Without just or sufficient reason; groundless. My fears are causeless and ungrounded. Denham.
CAUSELESSCause"less, adv.
Defn: Without cause or reason.
CAUSELESSNESSCause"less*ness, n.
Defn: The state of being causeless.
CAUSERCaus"er, n.
Defn: One who or that which causes.
CAUSERIECause`rie", n. [F., fr. causer to chat.]
Defn: Informal talk or discussion, as about literary matters; light conversation; chat.
CAUSEUSECau`seuse", n. Etym: [F., fr. causer to talk.]
Defn: A kind of sofa for two person. A tête-a-tête.
CAUSEWAY; CAUSEY Cause"way, Cau"sey, n. Etym: [OE. cauci, cauchie, OF. cauchie, F. chaussée, from LL. (via) calciata, fr calciare to make a road, either fr. L. calx lime, hence, to pave with limestone (cf. E. chalk), or from L. calceus shoe, from calx heel, hence, to shoe, pave, or wear by treading.]
Defn: A way or road rasid above the natural level of the ground,serving as a dry passage over wet or marshy ground.But that broad causeway will direct your way. Dryden.The other way Satan went down The causey to Hell-gate. Milton.
CAUSEWAYED; CAUSEYEDCause"wayed, Cau"seyed. a.
Defn: Having a raised way (causeway or causey); paved. Sir W. Scott.C. Bronté.
CAUSIDICAL Cau*sid"i*cal, a. Etym: [L. causidicakis; causa a cause in law + dicare to say.]
Defn: Pertaining to an advocate, or to the maintenance and defense of suits.
CAUSTIC; CAUSTICALCaus"tic, Caus"tic*al, a. Etym: [L. caustucs, Ge. Calm, Ink.]
1. Capable of destroying the texture of anything or eating away its substance by chemical action; burning; corrosive; searing.
2. Severe; satirical; sharp; as, a caustic remark. Caustic curve (Optics), a curve to which the ray of light, reflected or refracted by another curve, are tangents, the reflecting or refracting curve and the luminous point being in one plane. — Caustic lime. See under Lime. — Caustic potash, Caustic soda (Chem.), the solid hydroxides potash, KOH, and soda, NaOH, or solutions of the same. — Caustic silver, nitrate of silver, lunar caustic. — Caustic surface (Optics), a surface to which rays reflected or refracted by another surface are tangents. Caustic curves and surfaces are called catacaustic when formed by reflection, and diacaustic when formed by refraction.
Syn.— Stinging; cutting; pungent; searching.
CAUSTICCau"stic, n. Etym: [L. causticum (sc. medicamentum). See Caustic, a.]
1. Any substance or means which, applied to animal or other organic tissue, burns, corrodes, or destroys it by chemical action; an escharotic.
2. (Optics)
Defn: A caustic curve or caustic surface.
CAUSTICALLYCaus"tic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a caustic manner.
CAUSTICILYCaus*tic"i*ly, n.
1. The quality of being caustic; corrosiveness; as, the causticity of potash.
2. Severity of language; sarcasm; as, the causticity of a reply or remark.
CAUSTICNESSCaus"tic*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being caustic; causticity.
CAUTEL Cau"tel, n. Etym: [F. cautèle, L. cautela, fr. cavere to be on one's guard, to take care.]
1. Caution; prudence; wariness. [Obs.] Fulke.
2. Craft; deceit; falseness. [Obs.] Shak.
CAUTELOUSCau"te*lous, a. Etym: [F. cauteleux, LL. cautelosus. See Cautel.]
1. Caution; prudent; wary. [Obs.] "Cautelous, though young." Drayton.
2. Crafty; deceitful; false. [Obs.] Shak.— Cau"te*lous*ly, adv.— Cau"te*lous*ness, n. [Obs.]
CAUTERCau"ter, n. Etym: [F. cautère, L. cauterium, fr. Gr. Caustic,Cautery.]
Defn: A hot iron for searing or cauterizing. Minsheu.
CAUTERANTCau"ter*ant, n.
Defn: A cauterizing substance.
CAUTERISMCau"ter*ism, n.
Defn: The use or application of a caustic; cautery. Ferrand.
CAUTERIZATIONCau`ter*i*za"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. cautèrisation.] (Med.)
Defn: The act of searing some morbid part by the application of a cautery or caustic; also, the effect of such application.
CAUTERIZECau"ter*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cauterized; p. pr. & vb. n.Cauterizing.] Etym: [L. cauterizare, Gr. cautérised.. See cauter.]
1. To burn or sear with a cautery or caustic. Dunglison.
2. To sear, as the conscience. Jer. Taylor.
CAUTERYCau"ter*y, n.; pl. Cauteries. Etym: [L. cauterium, Gr. Cauter.]
1. (Med.)
Defn: A burning or searing, as of morbid flesh, with a hot iron, or by application of a caustic that will burn, corrode, or destroy animal tissue.
2. The iron of other agent in cauterizing. Actual cautery, a substance or agent (as a hot iron) which cauterizes or sears by actual heat; or the burning so effected. — Potential cautery, a substance which cauterizes by chemical action; as, lunar caustic; also, the cauterizing produced by such substance.
CAUTION Cau"tion, n. Etym: [F. caution a security, L. cautio, fr. cavere (For scavere) to be on one's guard, to take care (orig.) to be on the watch, see; akin to E. show.]
1. A careful attention to the probable effects of an act, in order that failure or harm may be avoided; prudence in regard to danger; provident care; wariness.
2. Security; guaranty; bail. [R.] The Parliament would yet give his majesty sufficient caution that the war should be prosecuted. Clarendon.
3. Precept or warning against evil of any kind; exhortation to wariness; advice; injunction. In way of caution I must tell you. Shak. Caution money, money deposited by way of security or guaranty, as by a student at an English university.
Syn. — Care; forethought; forecast; heed; prudence; watchfulness; vigilance; circumspection; anxiety; providence; counsel; advice; warning; admonition.
CAUTIONCau"tion v. t. [imp & p. p. Cautioned; p. pr. & vb. n. Cautioning.]
Defn: To give notice of danger to; to warn; to exhort [one] to takeheed.You cautioned me against their charms. Swift.
CAUTIONARYCau"tion*a*ry, a.
1. Conveying a caution, or warning to avoid danger; as, cautionary signals.
2. Given as a pledge or as security. He hated Barnevelt, for his getting the cautionary towns out of his hands. Bp. Burnet.