cartographer

map-maker

cascade

small waterfall

caste

one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social stratification; prestige

castigation

punishment; severe criticism or disapproval

castrate

remove the sex organs (of a male animal or person)

casual

happening by chance; irregular; occasional; informal; showing or feeling little interest; Ex. casual reader/labor/remark

casualty

serious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded in an accident or battle

cataclysm

deluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and sudden event or change

catalyst

agent which brings about a chemical change while it remains unaffected and unchanged; CF. catalysis

catapult

slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult

cataract

great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a gradual loss of eyesight)

catastrophe

calamity ; disaster

catcall

shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater or a sports match); boo; V.

catechism

book for religious instruction in question-and-answer form; religious instruction by question and answer; V. catechize

categorical

without exceptions; made without any doubt in mind; unqualified; absolute

cater

provide food and drink (for); cater to: try to satisfy (desires of a bad kind)

catharsis

purging or cleansing of any passage of the body; purging and weakening of strong emotions as a result of experiencing a dramatic work of art

cathartic

purgative; medicine that causes the bowels to empty; ADJ.

catholic

(of likings and interests) universal; general; broad; including many different parts; wide-ranging liberal; Ex. catholic opinions/tastes

caucus

private meeting of a group of people in a political party to select officers or determine policy; CF. the Caucus club of Boston

caulk(calk)

make watertight (by blocking up cracks as in a ship)

causal

implying a cause-and-effect relationship; N. causality

caustic

burning; corrosive; able to burn by chemical action; sarcastically biting; (of remarks) intended to hurt; bitter; harmful; OP. harmless

cauterize

burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection