 | Term | Definition |
| |
cardinal |
Of prime or special importance. |
| |
caret |
A sign (^) placed below a line, indicating where omitted words, etc., should be inserted. |
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caricature |
a picture or description in which natural characteristics are exaggerated or distorted. |
| |
carnage |
Massacre. |
| |
carnal |
Sensual. |
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carnivorous |
Eating or living on flesh. |
| |
carouse |
To drink deeply and in boisterous or jovial manner. |
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carrion |
Dead and putrefying flesh. |
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cartilage |
An elastic animal tissue of firm consistence. |
| |
cartridge |
A charge for a firearm, or for blasting. |
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caste |
The division of society on artificial grounds. |
| |
castigate |
To punish. |
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casual |
Accidental, by chance. |
| |
casualty |
A fatal or serious accident or disaster. |
| |
cataclysm |
Any overwhelming flood of water. |
| |
cataract |
Opacity of the lens of the eye resulting in complete or partial blindness. |
| |
catastrophe |
Any great and sudden misfortune or calamity. |
| |
cathode |
The negative pole or electrode of a galvanic battery. |
| |
Catholicism |
The system, doctrine, and practice of the Roman Catholic Church. |
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catholicity |
Universal prevalence or acceptance. |
| |
cat-o-nine-tails |
An instrument consisting of nine pieces of cord, formerly used for flogging in the army and navy. |
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caucus |
A private meeting of members of a political party to select candidates. |
| |
causal |
Indicating or expressing a cause. |
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caustic |
Sarcastic and severe. |
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cauterize |
To burn or sear as with a heated iron. |
| |
cede |
To pass title to. |
| |
censor |
An official examiner of manuscripts empowered to prohibit their publication. |
| |
censorious |
Judging severely or harshly. |
| |
census |
An official numbering of the people of a country or district. |
| |
centenary |
Pertaining to a hundred years or a period of a hundred years. |
| |
centiliter |
A hundredth of a liter. |
| |
centimeter |
A length of one hundredth of a meter. |
| |
centurion |
A captain of a company of one hundred infantry in the ancient Roman army. |
| |
cereal |
Pertaining to edible grain or farinaceous seeds. |
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ceremonial |
Characterized by outward form or ceremony. |
| |
ceremonious |
Observant of ritual. |
| |
cessation |
Discontinuance, as of action or motion. |
| |
cession |
Surrender, as of possessions or rights. |
| |
chagrin |
Keen vexation, annoyance, or mortification, as at one's failures or errors. |
| |
chameleon |
Changeable in appearance. |
| |
chancery |
A court of equity, as distinguished from a common-law court. |
| |
chaos |
Any condition of which the elements or parts are in utter disorder and confusion. |
| |
characteristic |
A distinctive feature. |
| |
characterize |
To describe by distinctive marks or peculiarities. |
| |
charlatan |
A quack. |
| |
chasm |
A yawning hollow, as in the earth's surface. |
| |
chasten |
To purify by affliction. |
| |
chastise |
To subject to punitive measures. |
| |
chastity |
Sexual or moral purity. |
| |
chateau |
A castle or manor-house. |
