ca|copho|nous /kəkɒ fənəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a mixture of sounds as cacophonous , you mean that they are loud and unpleasant. □ …the cacophonous beat of pop music.
ca|copho|ny /kəkɒ fəni/ (cacophonies ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can describe a loud, unpleasant mixture of sounds as a cacophony . □ [+ of ] All around was bubbling a cacophony of voices.
cac|tus /kæ ktəs/ (cactuses or cacti /kæ kta I /) N‑COUNT A cactus is a thick fleshy plant that grows in many hot, dry parts of the world. Cacti have no leaves and many of them are covered in prickles.
cad /kæ d/ (cads ) N‑COUNT If you say that a man is a cad , you mean that he treats other people, especially women, badly or unfairly. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ He's a scoundrel! A cad!
CAD /kæ d/ N‑UNCOUNT CAD refers to the use of computer software in the design of things such as cars, buildings, and machines. CAD is an abbreviation for 'computer aided design'. [COMPUTING ] □ …CAD software.
ca|dav|er /kədæ və r / (cadavers ) N‑COUNT A cadaver is a dead body. [FORMAL ]
ca|dav|er|ous /kədæ vərəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as cadaverous , you mean they are extremely thin and pale. [WRITTEN ] □ …a tall man with a long, cadaverous face.
cad|die /kæ di/ (caddies , caddying , caddied ) also caddy
1 N‑COUNT In golf, a caddie is a person who carries golf clubs and other equipment for a player.
2 VERB If you caddie for a golfer, you act as their caddie. □ [V + for ] Lil caddied for her son. [Also V ]
ca|dence /ke I d ə ns/ (cadences )
1 N‑COUNT The cadence of someone's voice is the way their voice gets higher and lower as they speak. [FORMAL ] □ He recognized the Polish cadences in her voice.
2 N‑COUNT A cadence is the phrase that ends a section of music or a complete piece of music.
ca|den|za /kəde nzə/ (cadenzas ) N‑COUNT In classical music, a cadenza is a long and difficult solo passage in a piece for soloist and orchestra.
ca|det /kəde t/ (cadets ) N‑COUNT A cadet is a young man or woman who is being trained in the armed services or the police. □ …army cadets. □ …the Cadet Corps.
cadge /kæ dʒ/ (cadges , cadging , cadged ) VERB If someone cadges food, money, or help from you, they ask you for it and succeed in getting it. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n] Can I cadge a cigarette? □ [V n + from/off ] He could cadge a ride from somebody.
cad|mium /kæ dmiəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Cadmium is a soft bluish-white metal that is used in the production of nuclear energy.
ca|dre /kɑː də r , [AM ] -dre I / (cadres ) N‑COUNT A cadre is a small group of people who have been specially chosen, trained, and organized for a particular purpose. □ [+ of ] …an elite cadre of international managers.
Cae|sar|ean /s I zeə riən/ (Caesareans ) N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A Caesarean or a Caesarean section is an operation in which a baby is lifted out of a woman's womb through an opening cut in her abdomen. □ My youngest daughter was born by Caesarean.
Caesar sal|ad /siː zə r sæ ləd/ (Caesar salads ) also caesar salad N‑VAR Caesar salad is a type of salad containing lettuce, eggs, cheese, and small pieces of fried bread, served with a dressing of oil, vinegar, and herbs.
café /kæ fe I , [AM ] kæfe I / (cafés ) also cafe
1 N‑COUNT A café is a place where you can buy drinks, simple meals, and snacks, but, in Britain, not usually alcoholic drinks.
2 N‑COUNT [n N ] A street café or a pavement café is a café which has tables and chairs on the pavement outside it where people can eat and drink. □ …an Italian street café. □ …sidewalk cafés and boutiques.
ca fé bar (café bars ) N‑COUNT A café bar is a café where you can also buy alcoholic drinks.
caf|eteria /kæ f I t I ə riə/ (cafeterias ) N‑COUNT A cafeteria is a restaurant where you choose your food from a counter and take it to your table after paying for it. Cafeterias are usually found in public buildings such as hospitals and stores.
caf|eti|ère /kæfətjeə r / (cafetières ) N‑COUNT A cafetière is a type of coffee pot that has a disc with small holes in it attached to the lid. You push the lid down to separate the liquid from the ground coffee when it is ready to drink.
caff /kæ f/ (caffs ) N‑COUNT A caff is a café which serves simple British food such as fried eggs, bacon, and sausages. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ …a transport caff.
caf|feine /kæ fiːn, [AM ] kæfiː n/ N‑UNCOUNT Caffeine is a chemical substance found in coffee, tea, and cocoa, which affects your brain and body and makes you more active.
caf|tan /kæ ftæn/ (caftans ) also kaftan N‑COUNT A caftan is a long loose garment with long sleeves. Caftans are worn by men in Arab countries, and by women in America and Europe.
cage /ke I dʒ/ (cages )
1 N‑COUNT A cage is a structure of wire or metal bars in which birds or animals are kept. □ I hate to see birds in cages.
2 → see also rib cage
3 PHRASE If someone rattles your cage , they do something which is intended to make you feel nervous. □ If he's trying to rattle your cage, it's working.
caged /ke I dʒd/ ADJ A caged bird or animal is inside a cage. □ Mark was still pacing like a caged animal.