cas|ing /ke I s I ŋ/ (casings ) N‑COUNT A casing is a substance or object that covers something and protects it. □ [+ of ] …the outer casings of missiles.
ca|si|no /kəsiː noʊ/ (casinos ) N‑COUNT A casino is a building or room where people play gambling games such as roulette.
cask /kɑː sk, kæ sk/ (casks ) N‑COUNT A cask is a wooden barrel that is used for storing things, especially alcoholic drink. □ [+ of ] …casks of sherry.
cas|ket /kɑː sk I t, kæ sk-/ (caskets )
1 N‑COUNT A casket is a small box in which you keep valuable things. [LITERARY ]
2 N‑COUNT A casket is a coffin . [mainly AM ]
cas|sa|va /kəsɑː və/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Cassava is a South American plant with thick roots. It is grown for food.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Cassava is a substance that comes from the root of the cassava plant and is used to make flour.
cas|se|role /kæ səroʊl/ (casseroles )
1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A casserole is a dish made of meat and vegetables that have been cooked slowly in a liquid. □ …a huge lamb casserole, full of herbs and vegetables .
2 N‑COUNT A casserole or a casserole dish is a large heavy container with a lid. You cook casseroles and other dishes in it. □ …a flameproof casserole.
cas|sette /kəse t/ (cassettes ) N‑COUNT [oft on N ] A cassette is a small, flat, rectangular plastic case containing magnetic tape which was used in the past for recording and playing back sound or film. □ I started very early, writing my first tune at three. I still have it on cassette.
cas|sock /kæ sək/ (cassocks ) N‑COUNT A cassock is a long piece of clothing, often black, that is worn by members of the clergy in some churches.
cast ◆◆◇ /kɑː st, kæ st/ (casts , casting ) The form cast is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle. 1 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] The cast of a play or film is all the people who act in it. □ The show is very amusing and the cast are very good.
2 VERB To cast an actor in a play or film means to choose them to act a particular role in it. □ [V n + in/as ] Casting three actresses in the film to play one role was very challenging. □ [be V -ed + as ] He was cast as a college professor. □ [V n] He had no trouble casting the movie. ● cast|ing N‑UNCOUNT [N n] □ …the casting director of Ealing film studios.
3 VERB To cast someone in a particular way or as a particular thing means to describe them in that way or suggest they are that thing. □ [be V -ed + as ] Democrats have been worried about being cast as the party of the poor. □ [V pron-refl + as ] Holland would never dare cast himself as a virtuoso pianist. [Also + in ]
4 VERB If you cast your eyes or cast a look in a particular direction, you look quickly in that direction. [WRITTEN ] □ [V n prep/adv] He cast a stern glance at the two men. □ [V n prep/adv] I cast my eyes down briefly. □ [V n] The maid, casting black looks, hurried out. [Also V n n]
5 VERB If something casts a light or shadow somewhere, it causes it to appear there. [WRITTEN ] □ [V n prep] The moon cast a bright light over the yard. □ [V n] They flew in over the beach, casting a huge shadow.
6 VERB To cast doubt on something means to cause people to be unsure about it. □ [V n + on ] Last night a top criminal psychologist cast doubt on the theory.
7 VERB When you cast your vote in an election, you vote. □ [V n] About ninety-five per cent of those who cast their votes approve the new constitution. □ [V -ed] Gaviria had been widely expected to obtain well over half the votes cast.
8 VERB To cast something or someone somewhere means to throw them there. [LITERARY ] □ [V n prep] He gathered up the twigs and cast them into the fire. □ [have n V -ed prep] John had Maude and her son cast into a dungeon.
9 VERB To cast an object means to make it by pouring a liquid such as hot metal into a specially shaped container and leaving it there until it becomes hard. □ [V -ed + in ] …sculptures cast in bronze. [Also V n in n, V n]
10 N‑COUNT A cast is a model that has been made by pouring a liquid such as plaster or hot metal onto something or into something, so that when it hardens it has the same shape as that thing. □ [+ of ] An orthodontist took a cast of the inside of Billy's mouth.
11 N‑COUNT A cast is the same as a plaster cast .
12 → see also casting
13 to cast aspersions → see aspersions
14 the die is cast → see die
15 to cast your mind back → see mind ➊
16 to cast your net wider → see net ➊
▸ cast around for in BRIT, also use cast about for PHRASAL VERB If you cast around for something or cast about for it, you try to find it or think of it. □ [V P P n] She had been casting around for a good excuse to go to New York.
▸ cast aside PHRASAL VERB If you cast aside someone or something, you get rid of them because they are no longer necessary or useful to you. □ [V P n] Sweden needs to cast aside outdated policies and thinking.
▸ cast off