| chattel | Any article of personal property. |
| check | To hold back. |
| chiffon | A very thin gauze used for trimmings, evening dress, etc. |
| chivalry | The knightly system of feudal times with its code, usages and practices. |
| cholera | An acute epidemic disease. |
| choleric | Easily provoked to anger. |
| choral | Pertaining to, intended for, or performed by a chorus or choir. |
| Christ | A title of Jesus |
| christen | To name in baptism. |
| Christendom | That part of the world where Christianity is generally professed. |
| chromatic | Belonging, relating to, or abounding in color. |
| chronology | The science that treats of computation of time or of investigation and arrangement of events. |
| chronometer | A portable timekeeper of the highest attainable precision. |
| cipher | To calculate arithmetically. (also a noun meaning zero or nothing) |
| circulate | To disseminate. |
| circumference | The boundary-line of a circle. |
| circumlocution | Indirect or roundabout expression. |
| circumnavigate | To sail quite around. |
| circumscribe | To confine within bounds. |
| circumspect | Showing watchfulness, caution, or careful consideration. |
| citadel | Any strong fortress. |
| cite | To refer to specifically. |
| claimant | One who makes a claim or demand, as of right. |
| clairvoyance | Intuitive sagacity or perception. |
| clamorous | Urgent in complaint or demand. |
| clan | A tribe. |
| clandestine | Surreptitious. |
| clangor | Clanking or a ringing, as of arms, chains, or bells; clamor. |
| clarify | To render intelligible. |
| clarion | A small shrill trumpet or bugle. |
| classify | To arrange in a class or classes on the basis of observed resemblanceÕs and differences. |
| clearance | A certificate from the proper authorities that a vessel has complied with the law and may sail. |
| clemency | Mercy. |
| clement | Compassionate. |
| close-hauled | Having the sails set for sailing as close to the wind as possible. |
| clothier | One who makes or sells cloth or clothing. |
| clumsy | Awkward of movement. |
| coagulate | To change into a clot or a jelly, as by heat, by chemical action, or by a ferment. |
| coagulant | Producing coagulation. |
| coalescence | The act or process of coming together so as to form one body, combination, or product. |
| coalition | Combination in a body or mass. |
| coddle | To treat as a baby or an invalid. |
| codicil | A supplement adding to, revoking, or explaining in the body of a will. |
| coerce | To force. |
| coercion | Forcible constraint or restraint, moral or physical. |
| coercive | Serving or tending to force. |
| cogent | Appealing strongly to the reason or conscience. |
| cognate | Akin. |
| cognizant | Taking notice. |
| cohere | To stick together. |