--- title: C — The English dictionary with trees and pragmatics · page 13 description: The 1959 words of the English dictionary under C, every meaning for a pupil and every example with its dependency tree and pragmatics. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/13/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/) / [English dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/) / C # C — The English dictionary · page 13 [A](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/A/) · [B](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/B/) · [C](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/) · [D](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/D/) · [E](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/E/) · [F](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/F/) · [G](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/G/) · [H](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/H/) · [I](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/I/) · [J](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/J/) · [K](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/K/) · [L](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/L/) · [M](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/M/) · [N](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/N/) · [O](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/O/) · [P](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/P/) · [Q](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Q/) · [R](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/R/) · [S](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/) · [T](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/T/) · [U](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/U/) · [V](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/V/) · [W](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/W/) · [X](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/X/) · [Y](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Y/) · [Z](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Z/) [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/) … [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/12/) **13** [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/14/) … [99](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/99/) **cast** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* To throw something, such as a fishing line or a net.[↗](../../cast/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* A hard cover, often of plaster, put around a broken arm or leg so it can heal.[↗](../../cast/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* All the actors in a play, film or show.[↗](../../cast/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* To give actors their parts.[↗](../../cast/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *e.g.* "She was cast as the queen."[↗](../../cast/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 5:* To make light or shadow fall somewhere.[↗](../../cast/#m5 "tree and pragmatics") *e.g.* "The tree cast a long shadow."[↗](../../cast/#m5 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 6:* To make an object by pouring hot liquid metal or plaster into a mould.[↗](../../cast/#m6 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 7:* To cast a spell or a vote.[↗](../../cast/#m7 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 8:* To cast someone out means to send them away from a place or a group.[↗](../../cast/#m8 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Tom has a cast on his broken arm.[↗](../../cast/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · We all signed her cast.[↗](../../cast/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The tree cast a shadow on the grass.[↗](../../cast/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The whole cast bowed at the end of the play.[↗](../../cast/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · She was cast as the wolf.[↗](../../cast/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Dad cast his fishing line into the lake.[↗](../../cast/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The witch cast a spell on the prince.[↗](../../cast/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · The statue was cast in bronze.[↗](../../cast/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · Wolf Pack, ye have cast me out too.[↗](../../cast/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") · And the water in the bottle was spent, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.[↗](../../cast/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") (Torah GEN.21.15, JPS 1917)[↗](../../cast/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") · For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents; but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.[↗](../../cast/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") (Torah EXO.7.12, JPS 1917)[↗](../../cast/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") · And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grating of brass, to be holders for the staves.[↗](../../cast/#x12 "tree and pragmatics") (Torah EXO.38.5, JPS 1917)[↗](../../cast/#x12 "tree and pragmatics") · Arouse Thyself, cast not off for ever.[↗](../../cast/#x13 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings PSA.44.24, JPS 1917)[↗](../../cast/#x13 "tree and pragmatics") · LORD, why castest Thou off my soul?[↗](../../cast/#x14 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings PSA.88.15, JPS 1917)[↗](../../cast/#x14 "tree and pragmatics") · Hast not Thou, O God, cast us off?[↗](../../cast/#x15 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings PSA.60.12, JPS 1917)[↗](../../cast/#x15 "tree and pragmatics") **castanets** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A small musical instrument of two shell-shaped pieces of hard wood (or plastic), held in the hand and clicked together to make a sharp rhythm, used especially in Spanish dancing and flamenco.[↗](../../castanets/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The dancer clicked her castanets as she spun.[↗](../../castanets/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · We played castanets in the music lesson.[↗](../../castanets/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Castanets are percussion instruments.[↗](../../castanets/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Click, clack went the castanets.[↗](../../castanets/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · He kept the beat with a pair of castanets.[↗](../../castanets/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Castanets are often used in Spanish music.[↗](../../castanets/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · My little sister loves the castanets in the music box.[↗](../../castanets/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **caste** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A group in a society into which people are born, which in the past decided what work they did and whom they could marry; best known from the traditional system in India and Nepal.[↗](../../caste/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Any fixed social class that is hard to move out of.[↗](../../caste/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (science) A group of insects in a colony that do one kind of job, such as workers, soldiers or the queen in an ant or bee colony.[↗](../../caste/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* In India, discrimination because of caste is against the law.[↗](../../caste/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The old caste system decided which jobs people could do.[↗](../../caste/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Dr B. R. Ambedkar fought hard for people treated badly because of their caste.[↗](../../caste/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · In a beehive, the worker caste collects nectar and the queen lays eggs.[↗](../../caste/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Termites have a soldier caste with big jaws to guard the nest.[↗](../../caste/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · In the story, the girl refused to accept that her caste decided her future.[↗](../../caste/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Many people today marry across caste lines.[↗](../../caste/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · And Mowgli had not the faintest idea of the difference that caste makes between man and man.[↗](../../caste/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") **castle** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A large, strong building with thick walls and towers, built long ago to protect a king, queen or lord from enemies.[↗](../../castle/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* A piece in chess, also called a rook.[↗](../../castle/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (verb) A special chess move with the king and a rook.[↗](../../castle/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The castle has four towers and a moat.[↗](../../castle/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Knights guarded the castle gate.[↗](../../castle/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · We built a sandcastle at the beach.[↗](../../castle/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Many old castles are in ruins now.[↗](../../castle/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The princess lived in a castle on a hill.[↗](../../castle/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · In chess, the castle can move in straight lines.[↗](../../castle/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The castle walls were three metres thick.[↗](../../castle/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · The ship glided past the castle.[↗](../../castle/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · And in Shushan the castle the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.[↗](../../castle/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings EST.9.6, JPS 1917)[↗](../../castle/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") · And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles and cities of store.[↗](../../castle/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings 2CH.17.12, JPS 1917)[↗](../../castle/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") · Moreover he built cities in the hill-country of Judah, and in the forest he built castles and towers.[↗](../../castle/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings 2CH.27.4, JPS 1917)[↗](../../castle/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") **castor** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A small wheel fixed under a chair, bed, trolley or piece of furniture so it can be moved easily (also spelled "caster").[↗](../../castor/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* In "castor oil": a thick, bad-tasting oil from the seeds of the castor oil plant, once given to children as a medicine.[↗](../../castor/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* In "castor sugar" (UK, also "caster sugar"): very fine white sugar used in baking.[↗](../../castor/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* (a name) Castor is a bright star in the Gemini constellation, named after one of the twins in Greek myths.[↗](../../castor/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 5:* Castor can also be the name of a twin hero from Greek myths, who was a famous horseman.[↗](../../castor/#m5 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The office chair rolls on five castors.[↗](../../castor/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · One castor broke, so the trolley wobbles.[↗](../../castor/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · In old books, children were given a spoon of castor oil.[↗](../../castor/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Use castor sugar to make meringues.[↗](../../castor/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Castor and Pollux are the brightest stars in Gemini.[↗](../../castor/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Castor oil comes from the seeds of the castor bean plant.[↗](../../castor/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · They were also famous for their physical accomplishments, Castor being the most expert charioteer of his day, and Pollux the first of pugilists.[↗](../../castor/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **casual** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Casual clothes are relaxed, comfortable everyday clothes, not smart or formal ones.[↗](../../casual/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Casual means relaxed and not seeming to care much or not making an effort: a casual wave, a casual chat.[↗](../../casual/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* Casual can mean happening by chance or without a plan: a casual meeting.[↗](../../casual/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* A casual job or worker is one that is not regular or permanent, done only now and then.[↗](../../casual/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 5:* (UK, slang) A «casual» can be a member of a football fan group known for wearing designer clothes; and «casual» (gaming slang) is a player who plays just for fun.[↗](../../casual/#m5 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 6:* Casual can describe a person you know only slightly, such as a casual neighbour.[↗](../../casual/#m6 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* We can wear casual clothes on Friday for charity.[↗](../../casual/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · She tried to sound casual, but she was really nervous.[↗](../../casual/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · It was just a casual chat at the bus stop.[↗](../../casual/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Dad has a casual job at the market on Saturdays.[↗](../../casual/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · He gave a casual wave as he walked past.[↗](../../casual/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The party is casual, so jeans are fine.[↗](../../casual/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · I'm only a casual gamer; I play on weekends.[↗](../../casual/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · A casual remark can still hurt someone's feelings.[↗](../../casual/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") **casually** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* In a relaxed, easy way, without seeming worried or careful.[↗](../../casually/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Without thinking much or planning, as if it does not matter.[↗](../../casually/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* In clothes for everyday, not smart wear.[↗](../../casually/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* Now and then, not regularly or deeply (casually know someone).[↗](../../casually/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* He casually strolled into the classroom ten minutes late.[↗](../../casually/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · "Oh, I won the race," she said casually, trying not to show off.[↗](../../casually/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · On mufti day we can dress casually instead of in uniform.[↗](../../casually/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Mum casually mentioned that we were getting a puppy.[↗](../../casually/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Don't treat safety rules casually; they protect you.[↗](../../casually/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · I only know him casually from football.[↗](../../casually/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The cat lay casually on the warm windowsill.[↗](../../casually/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · He casually tossed the ball over the fence.[↗](../../casually/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") **casualty** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A casualty is a person who is hurt or killed in an accident, war or disaster.[↗](../../casualty/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (UK) Casualty is the hospital department for emergencies, also called A&E (accident and emergency); in the USA it is the ER.[↗](../../casualty/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* A casualty is something that is lost or harmed because of an event: «The old tree was a casualty of the storm».[↗](../../casualty/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The first aider put the casualty in the recovery position.[↗](../../casualty/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · There were no casualties in the fire.[↗](../../casualty/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · We spent four hours in casualty after Sam broke his arm.[↗](../../casualty/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The battle caused heavy casualties.[↗](../../casualty/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The garden fence was a casualty of the storm.[↗](../../casualty/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Stay with the casualty until help arrives.[↗](../../casualty/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **cat** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A cat is a small furry animal that people keep as a pet; it has whiskers, claws and a long tail.[↗](../../cat/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* A cat is any animal of the cat family, like a lion, tiger or leopard («big cats»).[↗](../../cat/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* There are 4 cats.[↗](../../cat/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") How many legs?[↗](../../cat/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Each cat eats 2 cans of food a day.[↗](../../cat/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · She has 3 cats and 2 dogs.[↗](../../cat/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · 5 cats went outside.[↗](../../cat/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The cat purred on my lap.[↗](../../cat/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Lions and tigers are big cats.[↗](../../cat/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · It's raining cats and dogs\![↗](../../cat/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · Our cat catches mice.[↗](../../cat/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · Don't pull the cat's tail.[↗](../../cat/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") · He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise.[↗](../../cat/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") · As, according to the Sefer Yctzirah, it is possible to ex- press all numbers by the ten Sefirot"\*), we must demonstrate liow all numbers, even those higher tiian nine, may be indi- cated by the ten strokes.[↗](../../cat/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))[↗](../../cat/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") · But wild-cats shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of ferrets; and ostriches shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.[↗](../../cat/#x12 "tree and pragmatics") (Prophets ISA.13.21, JPS 1917)[↗](../../cat/#x12 "tree and pragmatics") · And the wild-cats shall meet with the jackals, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; yea, the night-monster shall repose there, and shall find her a place of rest.[↗](../../cat/#x13 "tree and pragmatics") (Prophets ISA.34.14, JPS 1917)[↗](../../cat/#x13 "tree and pragmatics") · Therefore the wild-cats with the jackals shall dwell there, and the ostriches shall dwell therein; and it shall be no more inhabited for ever, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation.[↗](../../cat/#x14 "tree and pragmatics") (Prophets JER.50.39, JPS 1917)[↗](../../cat/#x14 "tree and pragmatics") **catalogue** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A catalogue is a list of things, often with pictures and details, such as goods in a shop or books in a library.[↗](../../catalogue/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* A catalogue is a booklet or website showing things you can buy.[↗](../../catalogue/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* To catalogue things means to make a careful, ordered list of them.[↗](../../catalogue/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* We looked through the toy catalogue and circled what we wanted.[↗](../../catalogue/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Search the library catalogue to find books about sharks.[↗](../../catalogue/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Mum ordered new curtains from a catalogue.[↗](../../catalogue/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The museum has a catalogue of all its fossils.[↗](../../catalogue/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Scientists catalogue every new kind of beetle they find.[↗](../../catalogue/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Our class catalogued the shells we collected on the beach.[↗](../../catalogue/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The catalogue says the bike costs 120 dollars.[↗](../../catalogue/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · It was a catalogue of mistakes from start to finish.[↗](../../catalogue/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · All were checked against a later edition of the book that had been retypeset, and references to other works were additionally checked against online library catalogues.[↗](../../catalogue/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") **catalyst** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (science) A substance that makes a chemical reaction go faster without being used up itself.[↗](../../catalyst/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* A person or event that makes a big change happen, or makes it happen sooner.[↗](../../catalyst/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Enzymes in your saliva act as catalysts to break down food.[↗](../../catalyst/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · A catalyst speeds up a reaction but is not used up.[↗](../../catalyst/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · In the experiment, the catalyst made the hydrogen peroxide fizz quickly.[↗](../../catalyst/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The new teacher was a catalyst for change in our school.[↗](../../catalyst/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The storm was the catalyst that made the town build a stronger sea wall.[↗](../../catalyst/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Rosa Parks's brave act became a catalyst for the bus boycott.[↗](../../catalyst/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Platinum is a catalyst in a car's exhaust system.[↗](../../catalyst/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **catalytic** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Speeding up a chemical reaction without being used up; working as a catalyst.[↗](../../catalytic/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Causing important changes to happen.[↗](../../catalytic/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* A catalytic converter cleans a car's exhaust gases.[↗](../../catalytic/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Enzymes are catalytic and speed up digestion.[↗](../../catalytic/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Thieves sometimes steal catalytic converters from cars.[↗](../../catalytic/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The teacher showed a catalytic reaction that made foam.[↗](../../catalytic/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Her speech played a catalytic role in changing the rules.[↗](../../catalytic/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") **catapult** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A catapult is an old war machine that throws heavy stones or objects a long way.[↗](../../catapult/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (UK) A catapult is a Y-shaped stick with a rubber band used to shoot small stones; in the USA it is called a slingshot.[↗](../../catapult/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* To catapult means to throw or launch something hard and fast.[↗](../../catapult/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* To be catapulted into something means to be moved suddenly into a new situation, as in «catapulted to fame».[↗](../../catapult/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The army used a catapult to throw stones at the castle walls.[↗](../../catapult/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · We built a lolly-stick catapult in science.[↗](../../catapult/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · He fired a pea from his catapult.[↗](../../catapult/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The crash catapulted him out of his seat.[↗](../../catapult/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The song catapulted the band to fame.[↗](../../catapult/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · We measured how far the catapult could throw a marshmallow.[↗](../../catapult/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **cataract** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A cataract is a cloudy patch in the lens of the eye that makes things look blurry; it is common in older people and can be fixed by an operation.[↗](../../cataract/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* A cataract is also a large, powerful waterfall or a stretch of rough, rushing water in a river, like the cataracts of the River Nile.[↗](../../cataract/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Grandma had a cataract operation and can see clearly again.[↗](../../cataract/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Cataracts make things look foggy.[↗](../../cataract/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The doctor said Grandad has a cataract in his left eye.[↗](../../cataract/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The boat could not sail past the cataract on the Nile.[↗](../../cataract/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The cataract roared as the river fell over the rocks.[↗](../../cataract/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Dogs can get cataracts too.[↗](../../cataract/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · After the cataract was removed, colours looked brighter.[↗](../../cataract/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · The waves of all the world seemed to whirl past them in one huge, green cataract.[↗](../../cataract/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · Deep calleth unto deep at the voice of Thy cataracts; all Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over me.[↗](../../cataract/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings PSA.42.8, JPS 1917)[↗](../../cataract/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") **catastrophe** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A sudden terrible event that causes great damage or suffering, like an earthquake or flood.[↗](../../catastrophe/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (informal) Something that goes very badly wrong.[↗](../../catastrophe/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The flood was a catastrophe for the town.[↗](../../catastrophe/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Scientists warn that the dam could fail and cause a catastrophe.[↗](../../catastrophe/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The volcano eruption was a catastrophe for Pompeii.[↗](../../catastrophe/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Our science fair project was a total catastrophe.[↗](../../catastrophe/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Quick action prevented a catastrophe.[↗](../../catastrophe/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Forgetting the tickets would be a catastrophe\![↗](../../catastrophe/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Such a catastrophe nearly happened to the young Englishman.[↗](../../catastrophe/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/) … [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/12/) **13** [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/14/) … [99](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/99/) - ← previous: [page 12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/12/) - next →: [page 14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/page/14/) - ↑ back to [The English dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/)