1 PHRASAL VERB If you cast off something, you get rid of it because it is no longer necessary or useful to you, or because it is harmful to you. [LITERARY ] □ [V P n] The essay exhorts women to cast off their servitude to husbands and priests. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you are on a boat and you cast off , you untie the rope that is keeping the boat in a fixed position. □ [V P ] He cast off, heading out to the bay.
cas|ta|nets /kæ stəne ts/ N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Castanets are a Spanish musical instrument consisting of two small round pieces of wood or plastic held together by a cord. You hold the castanets in your hand and knock the pieces together with your fingers.
cast|away /kɑː stəwe I , kæ st-/ (castaways ) N‑COUNT A castaway is a person who has managed to swim or float to a lonely island or shore after their boat has sunk.
caste /kɑː st, kæ st/ (castes )
1 N‑COUNT A caste is one of the traditional social classes into which people are divided in a Hindu society. □ Most of the upper castes worship the Goddess Kali.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Caste is the system of dividing people in a society into different social classes. □ The caste system shapes nearly every facet of Indian life.
cas|tel|lat|ed /kæ stəle I t I d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A castellated wall or building looks like a castle. [TECHNICAL ] □ …a 19th-century castellated mansion.
cast|er /kɑː stə r , kæ stə r / → see castor
ca st|er sug|ar also castor sugar N‑UNCOUNT Caster sugar is white sugar that has been ground into fine grains. It is used in cooking. [BRIT ] in AM, use superfine sugar
cas|ti|gate /kæ st I ge I t/ (castigates , castigating , castigated ) VERB If you castigate someone or something, you speak to them angrily or criticize them severely. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Marx never lost an opportunity to castigate colonialism. □ [V n + for ] She castigated him for having no intellectual interests. ● cas|ti|ga|tion /kæ st I ge I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …Bradley's public castigation of the police chief.
cast|ing /kɑː st I ŋ, kæ st-/ (castings )
1 N‑COUNT A casting is an object or piece of machinery which has been made by pouring a liquid such as hot metal into a container, so that when it hardens it has the required shape.
2 → see also cast
ca st|ing vo te (casting votes ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] When a committee has given an equal number of votes for and against a proposal, the chairperson can give a casting vote . This vote decides whether or not the proposal will be passed. □ Only Mr King's casting vote secured the rate rise.
ca st i ron
1 N‑UNCOUNT Cast iron is iron which contains a small amount of carbon. It is hard and cannot be bent so it has to be made into objects by casting. □ Made from cast iron, it is finished in graphite enamel. □ …the cast-iron chair legs.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A cast-iron guarantee or alibi is one that is absolutely certain to be effective and will not fail you. □ They would have to offer cast-iron guarantees to invest in long-term projects.
cas|tle ◆◇◇ /kɑː s ə l, kæ s ə l/ (castles )
1 N‑COUNT A castle is a large building with thick, high walls. Castles were built by important people, such as kings, in former times, especially for protection during wars and battles.
2 → see also sand castle
3 N‑COUNT In chess, a castle is a piece that can be moved forwards, backwards, or sideways.
ca st-off (cast-offs ) also castoff ADJ [ADJ n] Cast-off things, especially clothes, are ones which someone no longer uses because they are old or unfashionable, and which they give to someone else or throw away. □ Alexandra looked plump and awkward in her cast-off clothing. ● N‑COUNT [usu pl] Cast-off is also a noun. □ I never had anything new to wear as a child, only a cousin's cast-offs.
cas|tor /kɑː stə r , kæ st-/ (castors ) also caster N‑COUNT Castors are small wheels fitted to a piece of furniture so that it can be moved more easily.
ca s|tor oil N‑UNCOUNT Castor oil is a thick yellow oil that is obtained from the seeds of the castor oil plant. It has a very unpleasant taste and in former times was used as a medicine.
ca s|tor sug|ar → see caster sugar
cas|trate /kæstre I t, [AM ] kæ stre I t/ (castrates , castrating , castrated ) VERB To castrate a male animal or a man means to remove his testicles. □ [V n] In the ancient world, it was probably rare to castrate a dog or cat. □ [V -ed] …a castrated male horse. ● cas|tra|tion /kæstre I ʃ ə n/ (castrations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …the castration of male farm animals.
cas|ual /kæ ʒuəl/
1 ADJ If you are casual , you are, or you pretend to be, relaxed and not very concerned about what is happening or what you are doing. □ [+ about ] It's difficult for me to be casual about anything. □ He's an easy-going, friendly young man with a casual sort of attitude towards money. ● casu|al|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'No need to hurry,' Ben said casually.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A casual event or situation happens by chance or without planning. □ What you mean as a casual remark could be misinterpreted. □ Even a casual observer could notice the tense atmosphere.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Casual clothes are ones that you normally wear at home or on holiday, and not on formal occasions. □ I also bought some casual clothes for the weekend. ● casu|al|ly ADV [ADV -ed, ADV after v] □ They were smartly but casually dressed.