CASTRAMETATION, kas-tra-me-t[=a]'shun, _n._ the act or art of encamping.
[L. _castra_, a camp, _met[=a]ri_, _-atus_, to measure off--_meta_, a
boundary.]
CASTRATE, kas'tr[=a]t, _v.t._ to deprive of the power of generation, to
remove the testicles, geld, emasculate: to take from or render
imperfect.--_adj._ CAS'TRATED, expurgated.--_ns._ CASTR[=A]'TION, gelding,
expurgation; CASTRATO (kas-trä't[=o]), a male singer castrated in boyhood
so as to preserve a soprano or alto voice:--_pl._ CASTRA'TI. [L.
_castr[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_.]
CASUAL, kash'[=u]-al, _adj._ accidental: unforeseen: occasional.--_n._ a
chance or occasional visitor, labourer, pauper, &c.--_n._ CAS'UALISM, the
belief that chance governs all things.--_adv._ CAS'UALLY, in a casual
manner.--_n._ CAS'UALTY, that which falls out: an accident: a misfortune:
(_pl._) losses of a military force by death, desertion, &c.: an incidental
charge or payment.--CASUALTIES OF SUPERIORITY, in the feudal law of
Scotland, such emoluments arising to the superior as depend on uncertain
events--those of non-entry, relief or composition, and escheat alone
remaining, but considerably modified by the Conveyancing Act of
1874.--CASUALTY WARD, the ward in a hospital in which accidents are
treated; CASUAL WARD, a ward set apart for the use of those who are only
occasionally in destitution. [L. _casualis_--_casus_. See CASE.]
CASUARINA, kas-[=u]-ar-[=e]n'a, _n._ a genus of Australian trees having
thread-like, jointed, pendent branches, with small toothed sheaths at the
joints, like the horse-tails--the _Swamp-oak_ and _She-oak_ belong to it,
and its wood is the well-known _Beef-wood_.
CASUIST, kaz'[=u]-ist, _n._ one who studies and resolves cases of
conscience.--_adjs._ CASUIST'IC, -AL, relating to cases of
conscience.--_n._ CAS'UISTRY, the science or doctrine of cases of
conscience, or the reasoning which enables a man to decide in a particular
case between apparently conflicting duties. [Fr. _casuiste_--L. _casus_.
See CASE.]
CASULA, kas'[=u]-la, _n._ a chasuble.
CAT, kat, _n._ a common domestic animal kept to devour mice: a spiteful
woman: a movable pent-house used for their protection by besiegers: a
double tripod with six legs: a piece of wood tapering at each end, struck
with the CAT-STICK in the game of _tip-cat_, this game itself: short for
the CAT-O'-NINE'-TAILS, an instrument of punishment consisting of a whip
with nine tails or lashes, with three or four knots on each, once used in
the army and navy.--_v.t._ to raise the anchor to the cathead.--_ns._
CAT'AMOUNT, a common name in the United States for the cougar or puma--also
called _Panther_, _Painter_, and _American lion_; CATAMOUN'TAIN, or CAT O'
MOUNTAIN, a leopard, panther, or ocelot: a wild mountaineer.--_adj._
ferocious, savage.--_adj._ CAT-AND-DOG, used attributively for
quarrelsome.--_ns._ CAT'-BIRD, an American bird of the thrush family, so
called on account of the resemblance of its note to the mewing of a cat;
CAT'-CALL, a squeaking instrument used in theatres to express dislike of a
play: a shrill whistle or cry.--_v.i._ to sound a cat-call.--_v.t._ to
assail with such.--_adj._ CAT'-EYED, having eyes like a cat: able to see in
the dark.--_n._ CAT'GUT, a kind of cord made from the intestines of
animals, and used as strings for violins, harps, guitars, &c., the cords of
clock-makers, &c.: the violin or other stringed instrument: a coarse corded
cloth.--_adj._ CAT'-HAMMED, with thin hams like a cat's.--_ns._ CAT'HEAD,
one of two strong beams of timber projecting from the bow of a ship, on
each side of the bowsprit, through which the ropes pass by which the anchor
is raised; CAT'-HOLE, one of two holes in the after part of a ship, through
which hawsers may pass for steadying the ship or for heaving astern;
CAT'HOOD, state of being a cat or having the nature of a cat; CAT'KIN, a
crowded spike or tuft of small unisexual flowers with reduced scale-like
bracts, as in the willow, hazel, &c.; CAT'-LAP, any thin or poor
drink.--_adj._ CAT'-LIKE, noiseless, stealthy.--_ns._ CAT'LING, a little
cat, a kitten: the downy moss on some trees, like the fur of a cat:
(_Shak._) a lute-string; CAT'MINT, a perennial plant resembling mint, said
to be so called from the fondness cats have for it; CAT'S'-CR[=A]'DLE, a
game played by children, two alternately taking from each other's fingers
an intertwined cord, so as always to maintain a symmetrical figure;
CAT'S'-EYE, a beautiful variety of quartz, so called from the resemblance
which the reflection of light from it bears to the light that seems to
emanate from the eye of a cat; CAT'S-FOOT, a plant, called also
_Ground-ivy_; CAT'-SIL'VER, a variety of silvery mica; CAT'S'-MEAT, horses'
flesh, or the like, sold for cats by street dealers; CAT'S'-PAW (_naut._),
a light breeze: the dupe or tool of another--from the fable of the monkey
who used the paws of the cat to draw the roasting chestnuts out of the
fire; CAT'S'-TAIL, a catkin: a genus of aquatic plants of the reed kind,
the leaves of which are sometimes used for making mats, seating chairs,
&c.: a kind of grass.--_adj._ CAT'-WIT'TED, small-minded, conceited, and
spiteful.--CATTED AND FISHED, said of an anchor raised to the cathead and
secured to the ship's side.--BELL THE CAT (see BELL).--CARE KILLED THE CAT,
even with his proverbial nine lives.--CHESHIRE CATS are proverbially
notable for grinning, and KILKENNY CATS proverbially fight till each
destroys the other.--RAIN CATS AND DOGS, to pour down heavily.--SEE WHICH
WAY THE CAT JUMPS, to watch how things are going to turn before committing
one's self.--TURN THE CAT IN THE PAN, to change sides with dexterity.--For
GIB-CAT, TABBY-CAT, TOM-CAT, see under GIB, TABBY, &c. [A.S. _cat_; found
also in Celt., Slav., Ar., Finn, &c.]
CAT, kat, _n._ an old name for a coal and timber vessel on the north-east
coast of England.--_adj._ CAT'-RIGGED, having one great fore-and-aft
mainsail spread by a gaff at the head and a boom at the foot, for smooth
water only.
CATABOLISM. See KATABOLISM.
CATACAUSTIC, kat-a-kaws'tik, _adj._ (_geom._) belonging to caustic curves
formed by reflection (see CAUSTIC). [Gr. _kata_, against, and CAUSTIC.]
CATACHRESIS, kat-a-kr[=e]'sis, _n._ (_rhet._) a figure by which a word is
used in a sense different from, yet analogous to, its own: a harsh or
far-fetched metaphor.--_adjs._ CATACHRES'TIC, -AL.--_adv._
CATACHRES'TICALLY. [L.,--Gr. _katachr[=e]sis_, misuse.]
CATACLYSM, kat'a-klizm, _n._ a flood of water: a deluge: great
revolution.--_adj._ CATACLYS'MIC. [Gr. _kataklysmos_--_kata_, downward,
_klyzein_, to wash.]
CATACOMB, kat'a-k[=o]m, _n._ a subterranean excavation used as a
burial-place, esp. the famous Catacombs near Rome, where many of the early
Christian victims of persecution were buried: any place built with
crypt-like recesses for storing books, wine, &c.--_adj._ CAT'ACUMBAL. [It.
_catacomba_--Late L. _catacumbas_ (prob. from _ad catacumbas_), prob. from
Gr. _kata_, downward, and _kymb[=e]_, a hollow.]
CATACOUSTICS, kat-a-kows'tiks, _n._ the part of acoustics which treats of
echoes or sounds reflected. [Gr. _kata_, against, and ACOUSTICS.]
CATADIOPTRIC, -AL, kat-a-di-op'trik, -al, _adj._ pertaining to instruments
by which rays of light are both reflected and refracted. [See CATOPTRIC.]
CATADROMOUS, kat-ad'rom-us, _adj._ of fishes, descending periodically for
spawning to the lower parts of a river or to the sea. [Gr. _kata_, down,
_dromos_, running.]
CATAFALQUE, kat-a-falk', _n._ a temporary structure of carpentry
representing a tomb or cenotaph placed over the coffin during a
lying-in-state: a tomb of state, a funeral car.--Also CATAFAL'CO.
[Fr.,--It. _catafalco_. See BALCONY and SCAFFOLD.]
CATALAN, kat'al-an, _adj._ of or belonging to _Catalonia_ or its language,
a dialect of Provençal.--_n._ a native of Catalonia, or the language
thereof.
CATALECTIC, kat-a-lek'tik, _adj._ incomplete: applied to a verse wanting
one syllable at the end, or terminating in an imperfect foot. [Gr.
_katal[=e]ktikos_, incomplete--_katal[=e]gein_, to stop.]
CATALEPSY, kat'a-lep-si, _n._ a state of more or less complete
insensibility, with absence of the power of voluntary motion, and
statue-like fixedness of the body and limbs.--_adj._ CATALEP'TIC. [Gr.,
from _kata_, down, _lamban[=o]_, _l[=e]psomai_, I seize.]
CATALLACTIC, kat-al-ak'tik, _adj._ pertaining to exchange.--_adv._
CATALLAC'TICALLY.--_n._ CATALLAC'TICS, political economy as the science of
exchanges. [Made up from Gr. _katalassein_, to exchange.]
CATALOGUE, kat'a-log, _n._ a list of names, books, &c.--_v.t._ to put in a
catalogue:--_pr.p._ cat'aloguing; _pa.p._ cat'alogued.--_v.t._
CAT'ALOGUISE. [Fr.--Late L.--Gr. _katalogos_, from _kata_, down, _legein_,
to choose.]
CATALPA, kat-al'pa, _n._ a genus of hardy trees native to the United States
and Japan, marked by a low habit, profuse blossoms, and long cigar-like
pendent pods.--The common Catalpa, known also as the _Bean-tree_,
_Catawba_, _Indian bean_, and _Cigar-tree_, yields a durable wood; as also
the western Catalpa or _Shawnee wood_. [From the native Ind. name.]
CATALYSIS, ka-tal'i-sis, _n._ (_chem._) the decomposition of a compound and
the recomposition of its elements, by the presence of a substance which
does not itself suffer change, as in fermentation.--_adj._ CATALYT'IC. [Gr.
_katalysis_--_kata_, down, _lyein_, to loosen.]
CATAMARAN, kat'a-mar-an', or kat-am'ar-an, _n._ a raft of three pieces of
wood lashed together, the middle piece being longer than the others, and
serving as a keel--on this the rower squats, and works a paddle--much used
in the Madras surf: an old kind of fire-ship, long superseded; an
ill-natured woman. [Tamil, 'tied wood.']
CATAMENIA, kat-a-m[=e]'ni-a, _n._ the menstrual discharge.--_adj._
CATAM[=E]'NIAL. [Gr. _katam[=e]nios_--_kata_, again, _m[=e]n_, _m[=e]nos_,
a month.]
CATAMITE, kat'a-m[=i]t, _n._ a boy kept for unnatural purposes--a
corruption of GANYMEDE (q.v.).
CATAMOUNT. See CAT.
CATAPAN, kat'a-pan, _n._ the governor of Calabria and Apulia for the
Byzantine emperor. [Acc. to Littré, from Gr. _katepan[=o] t[=o]n
axi[=o]mat[=o]n_, 'he who is placed over the dignities.']
CATAPHONICS, kat-a-fon'iks, _n._ the science of reflected sounds.--_adj._
CATAPHON'IC. [Gr. _kata_, against, _phon[=e]_, sound.]
CATAPHRACT, kat'a-frakt, _n._ (_Milton_) a soldier in full armour. [Gr.
_kataphrakt[=e]s_, a coat-of-mail--_kata_, inten., and _phrass-ein_, to
enclose, protect.]
CATAPHYLLARY, kat-a-fil'ar-i, _adj._ pertaining to such rudimentary
scale-leaves as are found on various parts of plants, esp.
underground.--_n._ CATAPHYLL'UM. [Gr. _kata_, down, _phyllon_, leaf.]
CATAPHYSICAL, kat-a-fis'i-kal, _adj._ (_rare_) unnatural. [Gr. _kata_,
down, against, _physis_, nature.]
CATAPLASM, kat'a-plazm, _n._ a plaster or poultice. [Gr. _kataplasma_, a
plaster--_kata-plassein_, to plaster over.]
CATAPLEXY, kat'a-plex-i, _n._ the kind of mesmeric sleep of animals under a
sudden shock of terror--the state of 'shamming death.'--_adj._
CATAPLEC'TIC. [Gr. _katapl[=e]ssein_, to strike down.]
CATAPULT, kat'a-pult, _n._ anciently an engine of war, resembling the
ballista, for throwing stones, arrows, &c.: a small forked stick having an
elastic string fixed to the two prongs, used by boys for throwing small
stones.--_adj._ CATAPUL'TIC.--_n._ CATAPULTIER'. [L. _catapulta_--Gr.
_katapelt[=e]s_--_kata_, down, _pallein_, to throw.]
CATARACT, kat'a-rakt, _n._ a great fall of water, water-spout, &c.: a
waterfall or cascade: an opaque condition of the lens of the eye, painless,
unaccompanied by inflammation, occasioning blindness, simply by obstructing
the passage of the light. [L. _cataracta_--Gr. _kata_, down, _arass-ein_,
to dash, to rush.]
CATARRH, kat-är', _n._ a discharge of fluid from the inflammation of a
mucous membrane, esp. of the nose, caused by cold in the head: the cold
itself.--_adjs._ CATARRH'AL, CATARRH'OUS. [L. _catarrhus_--Gr.
_katarrhous_--_kata_, down, _rhe[=e]in_, to flow.]
CATARRHINE, CATARHINE, kat'ar-[=i]n, _adj._ pertaining to that one of the
two divisions of Quadrumana, including all the Old-World monkeys, having a
narrow partition between the nostrils. [Gr. _kata_, down, _hris_, _hrinos_,
nose.]
CATASTA, kat-äs'ta, _n._ a block on which slaves were exposed for sale: a
stage or place for torture. [L.]
CATASTASIS, kat-as'tas-is, _n._ the part of the Greek drama in which the
development of the action has reached its height: (_rhet._) that part of a
speech which states the subject to be discussed. [Gr.]
CATASTROPHE, kat-as'tr[=o]-f[=e], _n._ an overturning: a final event: an
unfortunate conclusion: a calamity.--_adj._ CATASTROPH'IC--_ns._
CATAS'TROPHISM, the theory in geology that accounts for 'breaks in the
succession' by the hypothesis of vast catastrophes--world-wide destruction
of floras and faunas, and the sudden introduction or creation of new forms
of life, after the forces of nature had sunk into repose; CATAS'TROPHIST, a
holder of the foregoing, as opposed to the _uniformitarian_ theory. [Gr.,
_kata_, down, _strephein_, to turn.]
CATAWBA, ka-taw'ba, _n._ a light sparkling wine, produced from a grape of
the same name, first found on the banks of the _Catawba_ River in Carolina.
CAT-BIRD. See CAT.
CAT-CALL. See CAT.
CATCH, kach, _v.t._ to take hold of: to apprehend or understand: to seize
after pursuit: to trap or ensnare: to take a disease by infection: to take
up anything by sympathy or imitation.--_v.i._ to be contagious: to be
entangled or fastened in anything;--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ caught
(kawt).--_n._ seizure: anything that seizes or holds: that which is caught:
anything worth catching: a sudden advantage taken: a specially English form
of musical composition, written generally in three or four parts, and in
the canon form--originally synonymous with the _round_.--_adj._ CATCH'ABLE,
that may be caught.--_ns._ CATCH'ER, one who catches; CATCH'FLY, a popular
name of several plants belonging to the genus _Silene_, and of _Lychnis
Viscaria_, whose glutinous stems often retain insects settling on them;
CATCH'ING, the action of the verb 'to catch:' a nervous or spasmodic
twitching.--_adj._ infectious: captivating, attractive.--_ns._
CATCH'MENT-B[=A]S'IN, a term applied to all that part of a river-basin from
which rain is collected, and from which, therefore, the river is fed;
CATCH'PENNY, any worthless thing, esp. a publication, intended merely to
gain money--also _adj._; CATCH'WORD, among actors, the last word of the
preceding speaker--the cue: the word at the head of the page in a
dictionary or encyclopædia: the first word of a page given at the bottom of
the preceding page: any word or phrase taken up and repeated as the
watchword or symbol of a party.--_adj._ CATCH'Y, attractive, deceptive,
readily caught up, as an air, &c., fitful.--CATCH AT, to snatch at; CATCH
FIRE, to become ignited, to be inspired by passion or zeal; CATCH HOLD OF,
to seize; CATCH IT, to get a scolding or the like; CATCH ME! an emphatic
colloquial phrase implying that there is not the remotest possibility of my
doing something suggested; CATCH ON, to comprehend: to catch the popular
fancy; CATCH OUT, to put a batsman out at cricket by catching the ball he
has batted; CATCH SIGHT OF, suddenly to get a glimpse of; CATCH UP, to
overtake; CATCH UP, or AWAY, to lay hold of forcibly. [From O. Fr.
_cachier_--Late L. _capti[=a]re_ for _capt[=a]re_, inten. of _cap[)e]re_,
to take. See CHASE.]
CATCHPOLE, -POLL, kach'p[=o]l, _n._ a constable, petty officer of justice.
[Through O. Fr. from Low L. _cachepolus_, _chassipullus_, one who chases
fowls. See CHASE and PULLET.]
CATCHUP, CATSUP. See KETCHUP.
CATE. See CATES.
CATECHISE, kat'e-k[=i]z, _v.t._ to instruct by question and answer: to
question as to belief: to examine systematically, to take to task.--_adjs._
CATECHET'IC, -AL, relating to a catechism or oral instruction in the first
principles, esp. of Christianity.--_adv._ CATECHET'ICALLY.--_ns._
CATECHET'ICS, the art or practice of teaching by question and answer: that
part of theology which treats of CATECH[=E]'SIS, or primary oral
instruction, as that given to catechumens; CAT'ECHISER; CAT'ECHISING, an
examination by questioning; CAT'ECHISM, any compendious system of teaching
drawn up in the form of question and answer; CAT'ECHIST, one who
catechises, a teacher of catechumens, a native teacher in a mission
church.--_adjs._ CATECHIST'IC, -AL, CATECHIS'MAL, pertaining to a catechist
or catechism. [L. _catechismus_, formed from Gr. _kat[=e]chiz-ein_,
_kat[=e]che-ein_, to din into the ears--_kata_, down, _[=e]ch[=e]_, a
sound.]
CATECHU, kat'e-shoo, _n._ a substance used in tanning and dyeing, and
medicinally as an astringent, obtained from the heart-wood of several East
Indian trees, as the betel-nut, &c. [Tamil.]
CATECHUMEN, kat-e-k[=u]'men, _n._ one who is being taught the rudiments of
Christianity: the appellation given in the early Christian Church to those
converted Jews and heathens who had not yet received baptism, but were
undergoing a course of training and instruction preparatory to it.--_adj._
CATECHUMEN'ICAL.--_adv._ CATECHUMEN'ICALLY.--_ns._ CATECH[=U]'MENSHIP,
CATECH[=U]'MENISM, CATECH[=U]'MENATE. [Gr. _kat[=e]choumenos_, being
taught, pr.p. pass. of _kat[=e]che-ein_, to teach.]
CATEGORY, kat'e-gor-i, _n._ what may be affirmed of a class: a class or
order.--_adjs._ CATEGOREMAT'IC, capable of being used by itself as a term;
CATEGOR'ICAL, positive: absolute: without exception.--_adv._
CATEGOR'ICALLY, absolutely: without qualification: expressly.--_n._
CATEGOR'ICALNESS, the quality of being absolute and unqualified.--_n.pl._
CAT'EGORIES (_phil._), the highest classes under which objects of
philosophy can be systematically arranged, understood as an attempt at a
comprehensive classification of all that exists: in Kant's system, the
root-notions of the understanding, the specific forms of the _a priori_ or
formal element in rational cognition (_quantity_, _quality_, _relation_,
_modality_, &c.).--_v.t._ CAT'EGORISE, to place in a category or list: to
class.--_n._ CATEGOR'IST, one who categorises.--CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE, in
the ethics of Kant, the absolute unconditional command of the moral law,
irrespective of every ulterior end or aim--universally authoritative,
belonging to the fixed law of nature--'Act from a maxim at all times fit
for law universal.' [Gr. _kat[=e]goria_, _kat[=e]goros_, an accuser,
_kata_, down, against, _agora_, assembly.]
CATELECTRODE, kat-[=e]-lek'tr[=o]d, _n._ a negative electrode or cathode.
[Gr. _kata_, down, and ELECTRODE.]
CATENARY, kat-[=e]'nar-i, _n._ the curve formed by a flexible homogeneous
cord (such as a chain), hanging freely between two points of support, and
acted on by no other force than gravity.--_adj._ relating to a chain, like
a chain--also CATEN[=A]'RIAN.--_n._ CAT[=E]'NA, a chain or connected
series, as in CATENA PATRUM, a chronological series of extracts from the
Fathers on any doctrine of theology.--_v.t._ CAT'EN[=A]TE to connect as in
a chain.--_n._ CATEN[=A]'TION. [L. _catenarius_, pertaining to a
chain--_cat[=e]na_, chain.]
CATER, k[=a]'t[.e]r, _v.i._ to provide food, entertainment, &c. (with
_for_).--_ns._ C[=A]'TERER; C[=A]'TERESS; C[=A]'TERING. [Lit. to act as a
_cater_, the word being orig. a substantive, and spelled _catour_, an
aphetised form of _acater_, _acatour_. See ACATER.]
CATERAN, kat'er-an, _n._ a Highland reiver or freebooter, a robber or
brigand generally. [Gael. _ceathairne_, peasantry, Ir. _ceithern_, a band
of soldiers.]
CATER-COUSIN, k[=a]'t[.e]r-kuz'n, _n._ a term implying familiarity,
affection, sympathy, rather than kindred. [More prob. conn. with CATER than
_quatre_ or _quarter_.]
CATERPILLAR, kat'[.e]r-pil-ar, _n._ a grub that lives upon the leaves of
plants. [Prob. O. Fr. _chatepeleuse_, 'hairy cat;' _chate_, a she-cat--L.
_catus_, _peleuse_, hairy--L. _pilosus_, _pilum_.]
CATERWAUL, kat'[.e]r-wawl, _n._ the shriek or cry emitted by the cat when
in heat.--_v.i._ to make such a noise, to make any discordant sound: to
behave lasciviously: to quarrel like cats.--_n._ CAT'ERWAULING. [The second
part is prob. imit.]
CATES, k[=a]tz, _n.pl._ dainty food.
CATGUT. See CAT.
CATHARIST, kath'ar-ist, _n._ one professing a higher standard of purity in
life and doctrine, a puritan: esp. a member of a Manichean heretical sect
of the Middle Ages, which spread over the whole of southern and western
Europe--confounded with the kindred sect of Paulicians, reaching the
greatest numbers in southern France, where, as the Albigenses, they were
ruthlessly stamped out by the Inquisition.--_n._ CATH'ARISM. [Gr.
_katharistai_, _katharizein_, to purify.]
CATHARTIC, -AL, kath-ärt'ik, -al, _adj._ having the power of cleansing the
stomach and bowels: purgative.--_v.t._ CATH'ARISE, to render absolutely
clean.--_ns._ CATHAR'SIS, evacuation of the bowels; CATHART'IC, a purgative
medicine; CATHAR'TIN, the purgative principle of senna. [Gr. _kathartikos_,
fit for cleansing, _katharos_, clean.]
CATHEAD. See CAT.
CATHEDRAL, kath-[=e]d'ral, _n._ the principal church of a diocese, in which
is the seat or throne of a bishop.--_adj._ belonging to a cathedral.--_n._
CATHED'RA, a bishop's seat, the episcopal dignity--EX CATHEDRA, from the
chair, officially given forth.--_adjs._ CATHEDRAL'IC, CATHEDRALESQUE',
CATHED'RALED, vaulted like a cathedral.--_n._ CATHED'RALISM, the cathedral
system.--_adj._ CATHEDRAT'IC, promulgated _ex cathedra_, authoritative. [L.
_cathedra_--Gr. _kathedra_, a seat.]
CATHERINE-WHEEL, kath'e-rin-hw[=e]l, _n._ (_archit._) an ornamented window
or compartment of a window, of a circular form, with radiating divisions of
various colours: (_her._) a wheel set round with teeth: a kind of firework
which in burning rotates like a wheel.--CATHERINE PEAR, a small and early
variety of pear.--TURN CATHERINE-WHEELS, to make a series of somersaults
sideways. [From St _Catherine_ of Alexandria, whom legend makes to suffer
martyrdom in the 4th century by torture on a wheel.]
CATHETER, kath'e-t[.e]r, _n._ a tube to be introduced through the urethra
into the bladder to draw off the urine, or for injecting air or fluids into
the Eustachian tube.--_ns._ CATH'ETERISM; CATHETOM'ETER, an instrument for
measuring small differences of level of different liquids in tubes;
CATH'ETUS, a straight line falling perpendicularly on another straight line
or surface. [Gr. _kathetos_, perpendicular, _kathet[=e]r_, from
_kathienai_, to send down.]
CATHISMA, ka-thiz'ma, _n._ in Greek use, a portion of the psalter, there
being altogether twenty cathismata: a troparion or short hymn used as a
response. [Gr., _kathizein_, to sit down.]
CATHODE, kath-[=o]d', _n._ the negative pole or electrode of a galvanic
battery, as opposed to _anode_: the surface in contact with the negative
pole: the object to be coated in electroplating--_adj._ CATH'ODAL. [Gr.
_kathodos_, a going down, _kata_, down, _hodos_, a way.]
CAT-HOLE. See CAT.
CATHOLIC, kath'ol-ik, _adj._ universal: general, embracing the whole body
of Christians: orthodox, as opposed to _heterodox_ and _sectarian_--applied
esp. to the Christian Church before the great schism between the East and
the West: liberal, the opposite of exclusive: relating to the name claimed
by its adherents for the Church of Rome as the alleged sole visible
representative of the church founded by Christ and His apostles--the
characteristic marks of the Catholic Church being _universality_,
_antiquity_, _unity_: relating to the Roman Catholics.--_n._ an adherent of
the R.C. Church.--_v.t._ CATHOL'ICISE, to make Catholic.--_ns._
CATHOL'ICISM, CATHOLIC'ITY, universality: liberality or breadth of view:
the tenets of the R.C. Church; CATHOL'ICON, a universal remedy or panacea;
CATHOL'ICOS, the Patriarch of Armenia.--CATHOLIC CREDITOR (_law of Scot._),
one whose debt is secured over several or the whole subjects belonging to
the debtor--e.g. over two or more heritable estates; CATHOLIC EMANCIPATION,
the relief of the Roman Catholics from certain vexatious penal regulations
and restrictions, granted in 1829; CATHOLIC or GENERAL EPISTLES, the name
given to certain epistles in the canon addressed not to particular churches
or individuals, but either to the Church universal or to a large and
indefinite circle of readers--originally only 1 John and 1 Peter, but, as
early as the 3d century, also James, Jude, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John; CATHOLIC
KING, a title given specially to the king of Spain.--OLD CATHOLICS, the
title assumed by a number of Catholics who at Munich protested against the
new dogma of the personal infallibility of the pope in all _ex cathedrâ_
deliverances proclaimed by the Vatican Council in 1870--now a considerable
communion or church in Germany and Switzerland. [Gr. _katholicos_,
universal--_kata_, throughout, _holos_, the whole.]
CATILINE, kat'il-[=i]n, _n._ the type of a daring and reckless conspirator,
from L. Sergius _Catilina_, whose plot to destroy Rome was foiled by
Cicero, 63 B.C.--_adj._ CAT'ILIN[=A]RIAN.
CATKIN. See CAT.
CAT-LOG, kat'-log, _n._ (_Shak._). CATALOGUE.
CATONIAN, ka-t[=o]'ni-an, _adj._ resembling _Cato_, the Roman Censor (died
149 B.C.), or Cato Uticensis (95-46 B.C.), both remarkable for gravity of
manners--hence grave, severe, unbending.
CATOPTRIC, kat-op'trik, _adj._ relating to catoptrics or vision by
reflection.--_n.pl._ CATOP'TRICS, the part of optics which treats of
reflected light. [Gr.; from _katoptron_, a mirror--_kata_, against,
_optesthai_, to see.]
CAT'S-TAIL. See CAT.
CATTLE, kat'l, _n.pl._ beasts of pasture, esp. oxen, bulls, and cows:
sometimes also horses, sheep, &c.--_ns._ CATT'LEMAN, one who tends cattle,
or who rears them on a ranch; CATT'LE-PLAGUE, plague or disease among
cattle, esp. that known as rinderpest or steppe murrain; CATT'LE-SHOW, an
exhibition or show of cattle or other domestic animals in competition for
prizes. [O. Fr. _catel_, _chatel_--Low L. _captale_, orig. capital,
property in general, then esp. animals--L. _capitalis_, chief--_caput_, the
head, beasts in early times forming the chief part of property.]
CATTY, kat'i, _n._ the Chinese kin or pound, usually a little over 1¼ lb.
avoirdupois.
CAUCASIAN, kaw-k[=a]'zhi-an, _adj._ pertaining to Mount _Caucasus_ or the
country around it.--_n._ the name adopted by Blumenbach for one of his main
ethnological divisions of mankind, by him made to include the two great
groups, the Aryan and the Semitic; used by later anthropologists for the
fair type of man as opposed to the Mongolic or yellow type.
CAUCUS, kaw'kus, _n._ a private meeting of political wire-pullers to agree
upon candidates to be proposed for an ensuing election, or to fix the
business to be laid before a general meeting of their party: applied
loosely to any influential committee in a constituency. [Ety. dub.; perh.
John Smith's Algonkin word _Caw-cawaassough_, an adviser; perh. a corr. of
'_caulkers'_ meetings.']
CAUDAL, kaw'dal, _adj._ pertaining to the tail: having a tail or something
like one.--_adj._ CAU'D[=A]TE, tailed. [L. _cauda_.]
CAUDEX, kaw'deks, _n._ (_bot._) the stem of a tree, esp. of a palm or
tree-fern:--_pl._ CAUD'ICES, CAUD'EXES.--_n._ CAUDICLE, the stalk of the
pollen-masses of certain orchids. [L.]
CAUDLE, kaw'dl, _n._ a warm drink, sweetened and spiced, given to the sick,
esp. women in childbed.--_v.t._ to give a caudle to, to mix. [O. Fr.
_chaudel_--L. _calidus_, hot.]
CAUDRON, kaw'dron, _n._ (_Spens._). Same as CAULDRON.
CAUGHT, kawt, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of CATCH.
CAUK, kawk, _n._ chalk: sulphate of baryta or heavy spar. [A form of
CHALK.]
CAUKER. See CAULK.
CAUL, kawl, _n._ a net or covering for the head: the membrane covering the
head of some infants at their birth. [O. Fr. _cale_, a little cap, prob.
Celt.; cf. Ir. _calla_, a veil, hood.]
CAULD, kawld, _n._ (_Scot._) a dam in a stream, a weir.
CAULDRIFE, kawld'-r[=i]f, _adj._ (_Scot._) cold, chilly, lifeless, without
vigour.
CAULDRON, CALDRON, kawl'dron, _n._ a large kettle for boiling or heating
liquids. [O. Fr. _caudron_--L. _caldarium_--_calidus_, hot--_cal[=e]re_, to
be hot.]
CAULESCENT, kaw-les'ent, _adj._ (_bot._) having a stem rising above the
ground--also CAULIF'EROUS.--_n._ CAU'LICLE, a rudimentary stem.--_adj._
CAULIC'OLOUS, growing on a stem.--_n.pl._ CAULICUL[=A]'TA, the black or
antipatharian corals.--_adj._ CAULIC'UL[=A]TE.--_n._ CAULIC'ULUS, one of
the slender stems springing from the _caules_ or main stalks supporting the
volutes in the Corinthian capital.--_adjs._ CAUL'IFORM, having the form of
a stem; CAULIG'ENOUS, borne upon the stem; CAUL'INARY, CAU'LINE, belonging
to a stem.--_n._ CAU'LIS, the stem of a plant: one of the main stems at the
angles of the Corinthian capital. [L. _caulis_, a stalk.]
CAULIFLOWER, kaw'li-flow'[.e]r, _n._ a variety of cabbage, the eatable part
of which is the deformed inflorescence or head. [Earlier _cole-florye_,
_colie-florie_--Low L. _cauli-flora_--L. _caulis_, cabbage. See COLE and
FLOWER.]
CAULK, CALK, kawk, _v.t._ to press oakum and untwisted rope into the seams
of a ship to render it watertight.--_ns._ CAULK'ER, one who caulks: a dram:
a big lie--also CAUK'ER; CAULK'ING; CAULK'ING-[=I]'RON, an instrument like
a chisel used for pressing oakum into the seams of ships. [O. Fr.
_cauquer_, to press--L. _cacl[=a]re_, to tread--_calx_, heel.]
CAUSE, kawz, _n._ that which produces an effect: that by or through which
anything happens: motive: inducement: a legal action between contending
parties: sake, advantage: that side of a question which is taken up by an
individual or party: (_Shak._) accusation: (_Shak._) matter, affair in
general.--_v.t._ to produce: to make to exist: to bring about: (_Spens._)
to give excuses.--_conj._ (_dial._) because.--_adj._ CAUS'AL, relating to a
cause or causes.--_n._ CAUSAL'ITY, the working of a cause: (_phren._) the
faculty of tracing effects to their causes.--_adv._ CAUS'ALLY, according to
the order of causes.--_ns._ CAUS[=A]'TION, the act of causing: the bringing
about of an effect; the relation of cause and effect; CAUS[=A]'TIONISM, the
theory of causation; CAUS[=A]'TIONIST, a believer in the foregoing.--_adj._
CAUS'ATIVE, expressing causation.--_n._ a form of verb or noun expressing
such.--_adv._ CAUS'ATIVELY.--_adj._ CAUSE'LESS, having no cause or
occasion.--_adv._ CAUSE'LESSLY.--_ns._ CAUSE'LESSNESS; CAUS'ER, one who
causes an effect to be produced.--CAUSE CÉLÈBRE, a convenient French term
for a specially interesting and important legal trial, criminal or
civil.--FINAL CAUSE, the end or object for which a thing is done, esp. the
design of the universe; FIRST CAUSE, the original cause or creator of
all.--HOUR OF CAUSE (_Scot._), hour or time of trial.--SECONDARY CAUSES,
such as are derived from a primary or first cause.--HAVE or SHOW CAUSE, to
have to give reasons for a certain line of action; MAKE COMMON CAUSE
(_with_), to unite for a common object; SHOW CAUSE (_Eng. law_), to argue
against the confirmation of a provisional order or judgment.--For
OCCASIONAL CAUSES, see OCCASIONALISM. [Fr.,--L. _causa_.]
CAUSERIE, k[=o]z'ri, _n._ a talk or gossip: a paragraph of chat about
literature or art; a short and informal essay on any subject in a newspaper
or magazine--as in Sainte-Beuve's famous _Causeries du Lundi_. [Fr.]
CAUSEWAY, kawz'w[=a], CAUSEY, kawz'e, _n._ a raised way through a marsh: a
pathway raised and paved with stone: a paved street.--_v.t._ to
pave.--_p.adjs._ CAUSE'WAYED, CAUS'EYED. [CAUSEWAY is formed from CAUSEY
and WAY. CAUSEY is in M. E. _causee_--O. Fr. _caucie_--Low L.
_calciata_--L. _calx_, heel.]
CAUSTIC, kaws'tik, _adj._ burning: (_fig._) bitter, severe, cutting:
(_math._) noting an envelope of rays of light proceeding from a fixed point
and reflected (_catacaustic_) or refracted (_diacaustic_) by a surface or a
curve.--_n._ a substance that exerts a corroding or disintegrating action
on the skin and flesh.--_adv._ CAUS'TICALLY.--_n._ CAUSTIC'ITY, quality of
being caustic.--CAUSTIC ALKALI (_chem._), a name given to the hydrates of
potassium and sodium, called caustic potash and caustic soda respectively;
CAUSTIC AMMONIA, ammonia as a gas, or in solution; CAUSTIC LIME,
quicklime.--COMMON CAUSTIC, potash; LUNAR CAUSTIC, nitrate of silver in
sticks for surgical use. [L.,--Gr. _kaustikos_--_kai-ein_, _kaus-ein_, to
burn.]
CAUTEL, kaw'tel, _n._ (_Shak._) craft: insidious purpose: caution:
wariness: a traditionary caution or written direction about the proper
manner of administering the sacraments.--_adj._ CAU'TELOUS (_Shak._),
cautious: insidious: artful. [Fr. _cautèle_--L. _cautela_--_cav[=e]re_,
_cautum_, to guard against.]
CAUTERISE, kaw't[.e]r-[=i]z, _v.t._ to burn with a caustic or a hot iron:
(_fig._) to sear.--_ns._ CAU'TER, CAU'TERY, a burning with caustics or a
hot iron: a burning iron or caustic used for burning tissue;
CAUTERIS[=A]'TION, CAU'TERISM. [Fr. _cautériser_--Low L.
_cauteriz[=a]re_--Gr. _kaut[=e]r_, a hot iron--_kai-ein_, to burn.]
CAUTION, kaw'shun, _n._ heedfulness: security: warning: a surety: (_Scot._)
bail.--_v.t._ to warn to take care.--_adj._ CAU'TIONARY, containing
caution: given as a pledge.--_ns._ CAU'TIONER, one who cautions or advises:
(_Scots law_) a surety; CAU'TIONRY, the act of giving security for
another.--_adj._ CAU'TIOUS, possessing or using caution: watchful:
prudent.--_adv._ CAU'TIOUSLY.--_n._ CAU'TIOUSNESS.--CAUTION MONEY, money
paid in advance as security for good behaviour. [Fr.,--L.
_caution-em_--_cav[=e]re_, to beware.]
CAVALCADE, kav-al-k[=a]d', _n._ a train or procession of persons on
horseback.--_v.i._ to go in a cavalcade. [Fr., through It. and Low L. forms
from L. _caballus_, a horse.]
CAVALIER, kav-al-[=e]r', _n._ a knight: a Royalist in the great Civil War:
a swaggering fellow: a gallant or gentleman in attendance upon a lady, as
her escort or partner in a dance or the like: in military fortification, a
raised work so situated as to command the neighbouring country.--_adj._
like a cavalier: gay: war-like: haughty, supercilious,
free-and-easy.--_v.i._ to act as cavalier.--_adj._ CAVALIER'ISH.--_n._
CAVALIER'ISM.--_adv._ CAVALIER'LY.--_n._ CAVALIER'O, a
cavalier.--CAVALIERE-SERVENTE (It.), one who waits upon a lady, esp. a
married lady, with fantastic devotion--a cicisbeo. [Fr.,--It. _cavallo_.
See CAVALCADE.]
CAVALRY, kav'al-ri, _n._ horse-soldiers: a troop of horse or horsemen. [Fr.
_cavallerie_--It. _cavalleria_--L. _caballarius_, horseman.]
CAVASS. See KAVASS.
CAVATINA, kav-at-[=e]'na, _n._ a short form of operatic air, of a smooth
and melodious character, differing from the ordinary aria in consisting
only of one part, and frequently appearing as part of a grand scena. [It.]
CAVE, k[=a]v, _n._ a hollow place in the earth: a den: any small faction of
seceders from a political party.--_v.t._ to hollow out.--_v.i._ to lodge in
a cave.--_n._ CAVE'-BEAR (_Ursus spelæus_), a fossil bear of the Quaternary
epoch.--_n.pl._ CAVE'-DWELL'ERS, prehistoric men who lived in caves.--_n._
CAV'ING, yielding.--TO CAVE IN, of land, to slip, to fall into a hollow: to
yield to outside pressure, to give way, collapse. [Fr.,--L. _cavus_,
hollow.]
CAVEAT, k[=a]'ve-at, _n._ a notice or warning: a formal warning, entered in
the books of a court or public office, that no step shall be taken in a
particular matter without notice to the person lodging the caveat, so that
he may appear and object. [L., 'let him take care'--_cav[=e]re_, to take
care.]
CAVENDISH, kav'en-dish, _n._ tobacco moistened and pressed into
quadrangular cakes. [Possibly from the name of the original manufacturer.]
CAVERN, kav'[.e]rn, _n._ a deep hollow place in the earth.--_v.t._ to put
in a cavern: to hollow out, in the form of a cavern.--_adjs._ CAV'ERNED,
full of caverns: dwelling in a cavern; CAV'ERNOUS, hollow: full of
caverns.--_adv._ CAV'ERNOUSLY.--_adj._ CAVER'N[=U]LOUS, full of little
cavities. [Fr.,--L. _caverna_--_cavus_, hollow.]
CAVESSON, kav'es-on, _n._ a nose-band for a horse. [Fr.,--It.--L.
_capitia_, _capitium_, a head-covering.]
CAVETTO, ka-vet'to, _n._ a hollowed moulding whose curvature is the quarter
of a circle, used chiefly in cornices. [It.; dim. of _cavo_--L. _cavus_,
hollow.]
CAVIARE, CAVIAR, kav-i-är', or kav-i-[=a]r' (originally four syllables),
_n._ an article of food made from the salted roes of the sturgeon, &c.:
(_fig._) something whose flavour is too fine for the vulgar taste. [Prob.
the 16th-cent. It. _caviale_; the Turk, _kh[=a]vy[=a]r_ is prob. borrowed.]
CAVICORN, kav'i-korn, _adj._ hollow-horned, as a ruminant.--_n._ one of the
CAVICOR'NIA, a family contrasted with the solid-horned ruminants, or deer
(_Cervidæ_). [L. _cavus_, hollow, _cornu_, a horn.]