9 letter word starting with ca

by
Words Parts of Speech Meaning/Definition/Similar Words
caballing present participle & vb. noun of Cabal
caballine adjective Of or pertaining to a horse., Caballine aloes.
cabbaging present participle & vb. noun of Cabbage
cablegram noun A message sent by a submarine telegraphic cable.
cablelaid adjective Composed of three three-stranded ropes, or hawsers, twisted together to form a cable., Twisted after the manner of a cable; as, a cable-laid gold chain.
cabrerite noun An apple-green mineral, a hydrous arseniate of nickel, cobalt, and magnesia; — so named from the Sierra Cabrera, Spain.
cabriolet noun A one-horse carriage with two seats and a calash top.
cachaemia noun A degenerated or poisoned condition of the blood.
cachectic adjective Alt. of Cachectical
cacholong noun An opaque or milk-white chalcedony, a variety of quartz; also, a similar variety of opal.
cacochymy noun A vitiated state of the humors, or fluids, of the body, especially of the blood.
cacodemon noun An evil spirit; a devil or demon., The nightmare.
cacodylic adjective Of, pertaining to, or derived from, cacodyl.
cacoethes noun A bad custom or habit; an insatiable desire; as, cacoethes scribendi, “The itch for writing”., A bad quality or disposition in a disease; an incurable ulcer.
cacomixle noun Alt. of Cacomixl
cacophony noun An uncouth or disagreable sound of words, owing to the concurrence of harsh letters or syllables., A combination of discordant sounds., An unhealthy state of the voice.
cacuminal adjective Pertaining to the top of the palate; cerebral; — applied to certain consonants; as, cacuminal (or cerebral) letters.
cadastral adjective Of or pertaining to landed property.
cadaveric adjective Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a corpse, or the changes produced by death; cadaverous; as, cadaveric rigidity.
cadetship noun The position, rank, or commission of a cadet; as, to get a cadetship.
caecilian noun A limbless amphibian belonging to the order Caeciliae or Ophimorpha. See Ophiomorpha.
caenozoic adjective See Cenozoic.
caesarean adjective Alt. of Caesarian
caesarian adjective Of or pertaining to Caesar or the Caesars; imperial.
caesarism noun A system of government in which unrestricted power is exercised by a single person, to whom, as Caesar or emperor, it has been committed by the popular will; imperialism; also, advocacy or support of such a system of government.
cainozoic adjective See Cenozic.
calaboose noun A prison; a jail.
calamanco noun A glossy woolen stuff, plain, striped, or checked.
calambour noun A species of agalloch, or aloes wood, of a dusky or mottled color, of a light, friable texture, and less fragrant than calambac; — used by cabinetmakers.
calcaneal adjective Pertaining to the calcaneum; as, calcaneal arteries.
calcaneum noun One of the bones of the tarsus which in man, forms the great bone of the heel; — called also fibulare.
calcarate adjective Alt. of Calcarated
calcarine adjective Pertaining to, or situated near, the calcar of the brain.
calceated adjective Fitted with, or wearing, shoes.
calcified adjective Consisting of, or containing, calcareous matter or lime salts; calcareous., of Calcify
calciform adjective In the form of chalk or lime.
calcimine noun A white or colored wash for the ceiling or other plastering of a room, consisting of a mixture of clear glue, Paris white or zinc white, and water., To wash or cover with calcimine; as, to calcimine walls.
calcinate verb i. To calcine.
calcining present participle & vb. noun of Calcine
calc-spar noun Same as Calcite.
calc-tufa noun See under Calcite.
calculary adjective Of or pertaining to calculi., A congeries of little stony knots found in the pulp of the pear and other fruits.
calculate verb i. To ascertain or determine by mathematical processes, usually by the ordinary rules of arithmetic; to reckon up; to estimate; to compute., To ascertain or predict by mathematical or astrological computations the time, circumstances, or other conditions of; to forecast or compute the character or consequences of; as, to calculate or cast one’s nativity., To adjust for purpose; to adapt by forethought or calculation; to fit or prepare by the adaptation of means to an end; as, to calculate a system of laws for the government and protection of a free people., To plan; to expect; to think., To make a calculation; to forecast consequences; to estimate; to compute.
calculous adjective Of the nature of a calculus; like stone; gritty; as, a calculous concretion., Caused, or characterized, by the presence of a calculus or calculi; a, a calculous disorder; affected with gravel or stone; as, a calculous person.
caledonia noun The ancient Latin name of Scotland; — still used in poetry.
calefying present participle & vb. noun of Calefy
calembour noun A pun.
calendary adjective Calendarial.
calendrer noun A person who calenders cloth; a calender.
calendric adjective Alt. of Calendrical
calendula noun A genus of composite herbaceous plants. One species, Calendula officinalis, is the common marigold, and was supposed to blossom on the calends of every month, whence the name.
calenture noun A name formerly given to various fevers occuring in tropics; esp. to a form of furious delirium accompanied by fever, among sailors, which sometimes led the affected person to imagine the sea to be a green field, and to throw himself into it., To see as in the delirium of one affected with calenture.
calibrate verb i. To ascertain the caliber of, as of a thermometer tube; also, more generally, to determine or rectify the graduation of, as of the various standards or graduated instruments.
calicular adjective Alt. of Caliculate
caliphate noun The office, dignity, or government of a caliph or of the caliphs.
callidity noun Acuteness of discernment; cunningness; shrewdness.
callipash noun See Calipash.
callipers noun pl. See Calipers.
callosity noun A hard or thickened spot or protuberance; a hardening and thickening of the skin or bark of a part, eps. as a result of continued pressure or friction.
calorific adjective Possessing the quality of producing heat; heating.
calumnies plural of Calumny
calvinism noun The theological tenets or doctrines of John Calvin (a French theologian and reformer of the 16th century) and his followers, or of the so-called calvinistic churches.
calvinist noun A follower of Calvin; a believer in Calvinism.
calvinize verb t. To convert to Calvinism.
calycinal adjective Alt. of Calycine
calycozoa noun pl. A group of acalephs of which Lucernaria is the type. The body is cup-shaped with eight marginal lobes bearing clavate tentacles. An aboral sucker serves for attachment. The interior is divided into four large compartments. See Lucernarida.
calycular adjective Pertaining to, or resembling, the bracts of a calycle.
camarilla noun The private audience chamber of a king., A company of secret and irresponsible advisers, as of a king; a cabal or clique.
cambering present participle & vb. noun of Camber
cambistry noun The science of exchange, weight, measures, etc.
camerated imp. & past participle of Camerate
camisated adjective Dressed with a shirt over the other garments.
camonflet noun A small mine, sometimes formed in the wall or side of an enemy’s gallery, to blow in the earth and cut off the retreat of the miners.
campagnol noun A mouse (Arvicala agrestis), called also meadow mouse, which often does great damage in fields and gardens, by feeding on roots and seeds.
campanero noun The bellbird of South America. See Bellbird.
campanile noun A bell tower, esp. one built separate from a church.
campanula noun A large genus of plants bearing bell-shaped flowers, often of great beauty; — also called bellflower.
camptight noun A duel; the decision of a case by a duel.
camphogen noun See Cymene.
camphoric adjective Of, pertaining to, or derived from, camphor.
canaanite noun A descendant of Canaan, the son of Ham, and grandson of Noah., A Native or inhabitant of the land of Canaan, esp. a member of any of the tribes who inhabited Canaan at the time of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt., A zealot.
cancelled of Cancel
canceling present participle & vb. noun of Cancel
cancelier verb i. To turn in flight; — said of a hawk., Alt. of Canceleer
canceleer noun The turn of a hawk upon the wing to recover herself, when she misses her aim in the stoop.
cancerate verb i. To grow into a canser; to become cancerous.
cancerite noun Like a cancer; having the qualities or virulence of a cancer; affected with cancer.
candicant adjective Growing white.
candidacy noun The position of a candidate; state of being a candidate; candidateship.
candidate noun One who offers himself, or is put forward by others, as a suitable person or an aspirant or contestant for an office, privilege, or honor; as, a candidate for the office of governor; a candidate for holy orders; a candidate for scholastic honors.
candlemas noun The second day of February, on which is celebrated the feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary; — so called because the candles for the altar or other sacred uses are blessed on that day.
candytuft noun An annual plant of the genus Iberis, cultivated in gardens. The name was originally given to the I. umbellata, first, discovered in the island of Candia.
canebrake noun A thicket of canes.
canescent adjective Growing white, or assuming a color approaching to white.
cannicula noun The Dog Star; Sirius.
canicular adjective Pertaining to, or measured, by the rising of the Dog Star.
cankering present participle & vb. noun of Canker
cankerous adjective Affecting like a canker.
cannabene noun A colorless oil obtained from hemp by distillation, and possessing its intoxicating properties.
cannabine adjective Pertaining to hemp; hempen.
canniness noun Caution; crafty management.
cannonade noun The act of discharging cannon and throwing ball, shell, etc., for the purpose of destroying an army, or battering a town, ship, or fort; — usually, an attack of some continuance., Fig.; A loud noise like a cannonade; a booming., of Cannonade, To attack with heavy artillery; to batter with cannon shot., To discharge cannon; as, the army cannonaded all day.
cannoneer noun Alt. of Cannonier
cannonier noun A man who manages, or fires, cannon.
canon bit That part of a bit which is put in a horse’s mouth.
canonized imp. & past participle of Canonize
canonship adjective Of or pertaining to Canopus in Egypt; as, the Canopic vases, used in embalming.
canopying present participle & vb. noun of Canopy
cantabile adjective In a melodious, flowing style; in a singing style, as opposed to bravura, recitativo, or parlando., A piece or passage, whether vocal or instrumental, peculiarly adapted to singing; — sometimes called cantilena.
cantation noun A singing.
cantatory adjective Containing cant or affectation; whining; singing.
cantering present participle & vb. noun of Canter
cantharis noun A beetle (Lytta, / Cantharis, vesicatoria), havin1g an elongated cylindrical body of a brilliant green color, and a nauseous odor; the blister fly or blister beetle, of the apothecary; — also called Spanish fly. Many other species of Lytta, used for the same purpose, take the same name. See Blister beetle, under Blister. The plural form in usually applied to the dried insects used in medicine.
cant hook A wooden lever with a movable iron hook. hear the end; — used for canting or turning over heavy logs, etc.
canticles plural of Canticle
cantilena noun See Cantabile.
cantoning present participle & vb. noun of Canton
cantonize verb i. To divide into cantons or small districts.
canulated adjective See Cannula, Cannular, and Cannulated.
canvassed imp. & past participle of Canvass
canvasser noun One who canvasses.
caoutchin noun An inflammable, volatile, oily, liquid hydrocarbon, obtained by the destructive distillation of caoutchouc.
capacious adjective Having capacity; able to contain much; large; roomy; spacious; extended; broad; as, a capacious vessel, room, bay, or harbor., Able or qualified to make large views of things, as in obtaining knowledge or forming designs; comprehensive; liberal.
caparison noun An ornamental covering or housing for a horse; the harness or trappings of a horse, taken collectively, esp. when decorative., Gay or rich clothing., To cover with housings, as a horse; to harness or fit out with decorative trappings, as a horse., To aborn with rich dress; to dress.
cappeline noun A hood-shaped bandage for the head, the shoulder, or the stump of an amputated limb.
capellane noun The curate of a chapel; a chaplain.
caperclaw verb t. To treat with cruel playfulness, as a cat treats a mouse; to abuse.
capillary adjective Resembling a hair; fine; minute; very slender; having minute tubes or interspaces; having very small bore; as, the capillary vessels of animals and plants., Pertaining to capillary tubes or vessels; as, capillary action., A tube or vessel, extremely fine or minute., A minute, thin-walled vessel; particularly one of the smallest blood vessels connecting arteries and veins, but used also for the smallest lymphatic and biliary vessels.
capillose adjective Having much hair; hairy.
capitally adverb In a way involving the forfeiture of the head or life; as, to punish capitally., In a capital manner; excellently.
capitatim adjective Of so much per head; as, a capitatim tax; a capitatim grant.
capitular noun An act passed in a chapter., A member of a chapter., The head or prominent part., Of or pertaining to a chapter; capitulary., Growing in, or pertaining to, a capitulum., Pertaining to a capitulum; as, the capitular process of a vertebra, the process which articulates with the capitulum of a rib.
capitulum noun A thick head of flowers on a very short axis, as a clover top, or a dandelion; a composite flower. A capitulum may be either globular or flat., A knoblike protuberance of any part, esp. at the end of a bone or cartilage. [See Illust. of Artiodactyla.]
caponiere noun A work made across or in the ditch, to protect it from the enemy, or to serve as a covered passageway.
cappadine noun A floss or waste obtained from the cocoon after the silk has been reeled off, used for shag.
capricorn noun The tenth sign of zodiac, into which the sun enters at the winter solstice, about December 21. See Tropic., A southern constellation, represented on ancient monuments by the figure of a goat, or a figure with its fore part like a fish.
caprifole noun The woodbine or honeysuckle.
capriform adjective Having the form of a goat.
caprylate noun A salt of caprylic acid.
capsaicin noun A colorless crystalline substance extracted from the Capsicum annuum, and giving off vapors of intense acridity.
capsicine noun A volatile alkaloid extracted from Capsicum annuum or from capsicin.
capsizing present participle & vb. noun of Capsize
capsquare noun A metal covering plate which passes over the trunnions of a cannon, and holds it in place.
capsulary adjective Of or pertaining to a capsule; having the nature of a capsule; hollow and fibrous.
capsulate adjective Alt. of Capsulated
captaincy noun The rank, post, or commission of a captain.
captainry noun Power, or command, over a certain district; chieftainship.
captation noun A courting of favor or applause, by flattery or address; a captivating quality; an attraction.
captivate verb t. To take prisoner; to capture; to subdue., To acquire ascendancy over by reason of some art or attraction; to fascinate; to charm; as, Cleopatra captivated Antony; the orator captivated all hearts., Taken prisoner; made captive; insnared; charmed.
captiving present participle & vb. noun of Captive
captivity noun The state of being a captive or a prisoner., A state of being under control; subjection of the will or affections; bondage.
capturing present participle & vb. noun of Capture
caracoled imp. & past participle of Caracole
caragheen noun See Carrageen.
carambola noun An East Indian tree (Averrhoa Carambola), and its acid, juicy fruit; called also Coromandel gooseberry.
carangoid adjective Belonging to the Carangidae, a family of fishes allied to the mackerels, and including the caranx, American bluefish, and the pilot fish.
carbamide noun The technical name for urea.
carbamine noun An isocyanide of a hydrocarbon radical. The carbamines are liquids, usually colorless, and of unendurable odor.
carbimide noun The technical name for isocyanic acid. See under Isocyanic.
carbineer noun A soldier armed with a carbine.
carbolize verb t. To apply carbolic acid to; to wash or treat with carbolic acid.
carbonade noun Alt. of Carbonado, To cut (meat) across for frying or broiling; to cut or slice and broil., To cut or hack, as in fighting.
carbonado noun Flesh, fowl, etc., cut across, seasoned, and broiled on coals; a chop., Alt. of Carbonade, A black variety of diamond, found in Brazil, and used for diamond drills. It occurs in irregular or rounded fragments, rarely distinctly crystallized, with a texture varying from compact to porous.
carbonari plural of Carbonaro
carbonaro noun A member of a secret political association in Italy, organized in the early part of the nineteenth centry for the purpose of changing the government into a republic.
carbonate noun A salt or carbonic acid, as in limestone, some forms of lead ore, etc.
carbonide noun A carbide.
carbonize verb t. To convert (an animal or vegetable substance) into a residue of carbon by the action of fire or some corrosive agent; to char., To impregnate or combine with carbon, as in making steel by cementation.
carboxide noun A compound of carbon and oxygen, as carbonyl, with some element or radical; as, potassium carboxide.
carbuncle noun A beautiful gem of a deep red color (with a mixture of scarlet) called by the Greeks anthrax; found in the East Indies. When held up to the sun, it loses its deep tinge, and becomes of the color of burning coal. The name belongs for the most part to ruby sapphire, though it has been also given to red spinel and garnet., A very painful acute local inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue, esp. of the trunk or back of the neck, characterized by brawny hardness of the affected parts, sloughing of the skin and deeper tissues, and marked constitutional depression. It differs from a boil in size, tendency to spread, and the absence of a central core, and is frequently fatal. It is also called anthrax., A charge or bearing supposed to represent the precious stone. It has eight scepters or staves radiating from a common center. Called also escarbuncle.
carburize verb t. To combine with carbon or a carbon compound; — said esp. of a process for conferring a higher degree of illuminating power on combustible gases by mingling them with a vapor of volatile hydrocarbons.
carcasses plural of Carcass
carcelage noun Prison fees.
carcinoma noun A cancer. By some medical writers, the term is applied to an indolent tumor. See Cancer.
cardamine noun A genus of cruciferous plants, containing the lady’s-smock, cuckooflower, bitter cress, meadow cress, etc.
cardboard noun A stiff compact pasteboard of various qualities, for making cards, etc., often having a polished surface.
cardiacal adjective Cardiac.
cardiacle noun A pain about the heart.
cardialgy noun A burning or gnawing pain, or feeling of distress, referred to the region of the heart, accompanied with cardiac palpitation; heartburn. It is usually a symptom of indigestion.
cardiolgy noun The science which treats of the heart and its functions.
careening present participle & vb. noun of Careen
careenage noun Expense of careening ships., A place for careening.
careering present participle & vb. noun of Career
carefully adverb In a careful manner.
caressing present participle & vb. noun of Caress
caretuned adjective Weary; mournful.
caribbean adjective Alt. of Caribbee
carinaria noun A genus of oceanic heteropod Mollusca, having a thin, glassy, bonnet-shaped shell, which covers only the nucleus and gills.
carinatae noun pl. A grand division of birds, including all existing flying birds; — So called from the carina or keel on the breastbone.
carinated adjective Shaped like the keel or prow of a ship; having a carina or keel; as, a carinate calyx or leaf; a carinate sternum (of a bird).
cariopsis noun See Caryopsis.
cariosity noun Caries.
carmelite adjective Alt. of Carmelin, A friar of a mendicant order (the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel) established on Mount Carmel, in Syria, in the twelfth century; a White Friar., A nun of the Order of Our lady of Mount Carmel.
carnalism noun The state of being carnal; carnality; sensualism.
carnalist noun A sensualist.
carnality noun The state of being carnal; fleshly lust, or the indulgence of lust; grossness of mind.
carnalize verb t. To make carnal; to debase to carnality.
carnation noun The natural color of flesh; rosy pink., Those parts of a picture in which the human body or any part of it is represented in full color; the flesh tints., A species of Dianthus (D. Caryophyllus) or pink, having very beautiful flowers of various colors, esp. white and usually a rich, spicy scent.
carnelian noun A variety of chalcedony, of a clear, deep red, flesh red, or reddish white color. It is moderately hard, capable of a good polish, and often used for seals.
carnivora noun pl. An order of Mammallia including the lion, tiger, wolf bear, seal, etc. They are adapted by their structure to feed upon flesh, though some of them, as the bears, also eat vegetable food. The teeth are large and sharp, suitable for cutting flesh, and the jaws powerful.
carnivore noun One of the Carnivora.
carnosity noun A fleshy excrescence; esp. a small excrescence or fungous growth., Fleshy substance or quality; fleshy covering.
carolling of Carol
carolitic adjective Adorned with sculptured leaves and branches.
caroluses plural of Carolus
carotidal adjective Pertaining to, or near, the carotids or one of them; as, the carotid gland.
carousing present participle & vb. noun of Carouse, That carouses; relating to a carouse.
carpellum noun A simple pistil or single-celled ovary or seed vessel, or one of the parts of a compound pistil, ovary, or seed vessel. See Illust of Carpaphore.
carpenter noun An artificer who works in timber; a framer and builder of houses, ships, etc.
carpentry noun The art of cutting, framing, and joining timber, as in the construction of buildings., An assemblage of pieces of timber connected by being framed together, as the pieces of a roof, floor, etc.; work done by a carpenter.
carpeting present participle & vb. noun of Carpet, The act of covering with carpets., Cloth or materials for carpets; carpets, in general.
carpetbag noun A portable bag for travelers; — so called because originally made of carpet.
carpetway noun A border of greensward left round the margin of a plowed field.
carpolite noun A general term for a fossil fruit, nut, or seed.
carpology noun That branch of botany which relates to the structure of seeds and fruit.
carrageen noun Alt. of Carrigeen
carrigeen noun A small, purplish, branching, cartilaginous seaweed (Chondrus crispus), which, when bleached, is the Irish moss of commerce.
carrancha noun The Brazilian kite (Polyborus Brasiliensis); — so called in imitation of its notes.
carriable adjective Capable of being carried.
carronade noun A kind of short cannon, formerly in use, designed to throw a large projectile with small velocity, used for the purpose of breaking or smashing in, rather than piercing, the object aimed at, as the side of a ship. It has no trunnions, but is supported on its carriage by a bolt passing through a loop on its under side.
carrytale noun A talebearer.
cartesian adjective Of or pertaining to the French philosopher Rene Descartes, or his philosophy., An adherent of Descartes.
carthamin noun A red coloring matter obtained from the safflower, or Carthamus tinctorius.
cartilage noun A translucent, elastic tissue; gristle.
cartridge noun A complete charge for a firearm, contained in, or held together by, a case, capsule, or shell of metal, pasteboard, or other material.
cartulary noun A register, or record, as of a monastery or church., An ecclesiastical officer who had charge of records or other public papers.
caruncula noun A small fleshy prominence or excrescence; especially the small, reddish body, the caruncula lacrymalis, in the inner angle of the eye., An excrescence or appendage surrounding or near the hilum of a seed., A naked, flesh appendage, on the head of a bird, as the wattles of a turkey, etc.
carvacrol noun A thick oily liquid, C10H13.OH, of a strong taste and disagreeable odor, obtained from oil of caraway (Carum carui).
car wheel A flanged wheel of a railway car or truck.
caryatids plural of Caryatid
caryopses plural of Caryopsis
caryopsis noun A one-celled, dry, indehiscent fruit, with a thin membranous pericarp, adhering closely to the seed, so that fruit and seed are incorporated in one body, forming a single grain, as of wheat, barley, etc.
caseation noun A degeneration of animal tissue into a cheesy or curdy mass.
casemated adjective Furnished with, protected by, or built like, a casemate.
case shot A collection of small projectiles, inclosed in a case or canister.
cashierer noun One who rejects, discards, or dismisses; as, a cashierer of monarchs.
cassareep noun A condiment made from the sap of the bitter cassava (Manihot utilissima) deprived of its poisonous qualities, concentrated by boiling, and flavored with aromatics. See Pepper pot.
cassation noun The act of annulling.
casserole noun A small round dish with a handle, usually of porcelain., 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.
cassidony noun The French lavender (Lavandula Stoechas), The goldilocks (Chrysocoma Linosyris) and perhaps other plants related to the genus Gnaphalium or cudweed.
cassimere noun A thin, twilled, woolen cloth, used for men’s garments.
cassocked adjective Clothed with a cassock.
cassonade noun Raw sugar; sugar not refined.
cassowary noun 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.
castalian adjective Of or pertaining to Castalia, a mythical fountain of inspiration on Mt. Parnassus sacred to the Muses.
castanets noun pl. 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.
castellan noun A governor or warden of a castle.
castigate verb t. To punish by stripes; to chastise by blows; to chasten; also, to chastise verbally; to reprove; to criticise severely., To emend; to correct.
castilian noun An inhabitant or native of Castile, in Spain., The Spanish language as spoken in Castile.
castillan adjective Of or pertaining to Castile, in Spain.
cast iron 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-iron adjective Made of cast iron. Hence, Fig.: like cast iron; hardy; unyielding.
castorite noun A variety of the mineral called petalite, from Elba.
castoreum noun 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.
castrated imp. & past participle of Castrate
casualism noun The doctrine that all things exist or are controlled by chance.
casualist noun One who believes in casualism.
casuarina noun A genus of leafless 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.
casuistic adjective Alt. of Casuistieal
casuistry adjective 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., Sophistical, equivocal, or false reasoning or teaching in regard to duties, obligations, and morals.
cataclysm noun An extensive overflow or sweeping flood of water; a deluge., Any violent catastrophe, involving sudden and extensive changes of the earth’s surface.
catadrome noun A race course., A machine for raising or lowering heavy weights.
catafalco noun See Catafalque.
catalepsy noun Alt. of Catalepsis
catalogue noun 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., To make a list or catalogue; to insert in a catalogue.
catalysis noun Dissolution; degeneration; decay., 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., The catalytic force.
catalytic adjective Relating to, or causing, catalysis., An agent employed in catalysis, as platinum black, aluminium chloride, etc.
catamaran noun 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., 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., A kind of fire raft or torpedo bat., A quarrelsome woman; a scold.
catamenia noun pl. The monthly courses of women; menstrual discharges; menses.
catamount noun The cougar. Applied also, in some parts of the United States, to the lynx.
cataplasm noun A soft and moist substance applied externally to some part of the body; a poultice.
catarrhal adjective Pertaining to, produced by, or attending, catarrh; of the nature of catarrh.
catchable adjective Capable of being caught.
catchment noun A surface of ground on which water may be caught and collected into a reservoir.
catchpoll noun A bailiff’s assistant.
catchweed noun See Cleavers.
catchword noun Among theatrical performers, the last word of the preceding speaker, which reminds one that he is to speak next; cue., 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., A word or phrase caught up and repeated for effect; as, the catchword of a political party, etc.
catchwork noun A work or artificial water-course for throwing water on lands that lie on the slopes of hills; a catchdrain.
catechise verb t. To instruct by asking questions, receiving answers, and offering explanations and corrections, — esp. in regard to points of religious faith., 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.
catechism noun A form of instruction by means of questions and answers., A book containing a summary of principles, especially of religious doctrine, reduced to the form of questions and answers.
catechist noun One who instructs by question and answer, especially in religions matters.
catechize verb t. See Catechise.
catechuic adjective Of or pertaining to catechu or its derivatives. See catechin.
catenated imp. & past participle of Catenate
caterwaul verb i. To cry as cats in rutting time; to make a harsh, offensive noise., A caterwauling.
catharist noun One aiming at or pretending to a greater purity of like than others about him; — applied to persons of various sects. See Albigenses.
catharsis noun A natural or artificial purgation of any passage, as of the mouth, bowels, etc.
cathartic adjective Alt. of Catharical, A medicine that promotes alvine discharges; a purge; a purgative of moderate activity.
cathartin noun The bitter, purgative principle of senna. It is a glucoside with the properties of a weak acid; — called also cathartic acid, and cathartina.
cathedral noun The principal church in a diocese, so called because in it the bishop has his official chair (Cathedra) or throne., Pertaining to the head church of a diocese; as, a cathedral church; cathedral service., Emanating from the chair of office, as of a pope or bishop; official; authoritative., Resembling the aisles of a cathedral; as, cathedral walks.
catlinite noun A red clay from the Upper Missouri region, used by the Indians for their pipes.
catoptron noun A reflecting optical glass or instrument; a mirror.
catoptric adjective Alt. of Catoptrical
cat’s-eye noun A variety of quartz or chalcedony, exhibiting opalescent reflections from within, like the eye of a cat. The name is given to other gems affording like effects, esp. the chrysoberyl.
cat’s-paw noun A light transitory air which ruffles the surface of the water during a calm, or the ripples made by such a puff of air., A particular hitch or turn in the bight of a rope, into which a tackle may be hooked., A dupe; a tool; one who, or that which, is used by another as an instrument to a accomplish his purposes.
catstitch verb t. To fold and sew down the edge of with a coarse zigzag stitch.
caucasian adjective Of or pertaining to the Caucasus, a mountainous region between the Black and Caspian seas., Of or pertaining to the white races of mankind, of whom the people about Mount Caucasus were formerly taken as the type., A native or inhabitant of the Caucasus, esp. a Circassian or Georgian., A member of any of the white races of mankind.
caucusing present participle & vb. noun of Caucus
caudicula noun A slender, elastic process, to which the masses of pollen in orchidaceous plants are attached.
cauliculi plural of Cauliculus
cauliform adjective Having the form of a caulis.
cauponize verb i. To sell wine or victuals.
causality noun The agency of a cause; the action or power of a cause, in producing its effect., The faculty of tracing effects to their causes.
causation noun The act of causing; also the act or agency by which an effect is produced.
causative adjective Effective, as a cause or agent; causing., Expressing a cause or reason; causal; as, the ablative is a causative case., A word which expresses or suggests a cause.
causeless adjective 1. Self-originating; uncreated., Without just or sufficient reason; groundless., Without cause or reason.
caustical adjective Capable of destroying the texture of anything or eating away its substance by chemical action; burning; corrosive; searing., Severe; satirical; sharp; as, a caustic remark.
cautelous adjective Caution; prudent; wary., Crafty; deceitful; false.
cauterant noun A cauterizing substance.
cauterism noun The use or application of a caustic; cautery.
cauterize verb t. To burn or sear with a cautery or caustic., To sear, as the conscience.
cauteries plural of Cautery
cautioned imp. & past participle of Caution
cautioner noun One who cautions or advises., A surety or sponsor.
cautionry noun Suretyship.
cavalcade noun A procession of persons on horseback; a formal, pompous march of horsemen by way of parade.
cavaliero noun A cavalier; a gallant; a libertine.
caveating noun Shifting the sword from one side of an adversary’s sword to the other.
cavendish noun Leaf tobacco softened, sweetened, and pressed into plugs or cakes.
cavernous adjective Full of caverns; resembling a cavern or large cavity; hollow., Filled with small cavities or cells., Having a sound caused by a cavity.
cavilling of Cavil
cavillous adjective Characterized by caviling, or disposed to cavil; quibbing.
cavorting present participle & vb. noun of Cavort