cast

views updated May 29 2018

cast1 / kast/ • v. [tr.] (past cast / kast/ ) 1. throw (something) forcefully in a specified direction: lemmings cast themselves off the cliff| fig. individuals who do not accept the norms are cast out from the group. ∎  throw (something) so as to cause it to spread over an area: the fishermen cast a large net around a school of tuna. ∎  direct (one's eyes or a look) at something: she cast down her eyes. ∎  throw the hooked and baited end of (a fishing line) out into the water. ∎  register (a vote). ∎  let down (an anchor or sounding line). ∎  Hunting let loose (hounds) on a scent. ∎  [intr.] Hunting (of a dog) search in different directions for a lost scent.2. cause (light or shadow) to appear on a surface: the moon cast a pale light over the cottages. ∎  cause (uncertainty or disparagement) to be associated with something: journalists cast doubt on the government's version of events. ∎  cause (a magic spell) to take effect: the witch cast a spell on her to turn her into a beast | fig. the city casts a spell on the visitor. 3. discard: the issue was cast from the list of concerns. ∎  shed (skin or horns) in the process of growth. ∎  (of a horse) lose (a shoe).4. shape (metal or other material) by pouring it into a mold while molten. ∎  make (a molded object) in this way: a bell was cast for the church. ∎  arrange and present in a specified form or style: he issued statements cast in tones of reason. ∎  calculate and record details of (a horoscope).5. [intr.] (in country dancing) change one's position by moving a certain number of places in a certain direction along the outside of the line in which one is dancing.• n. 1. an object made by shaping molten metal or similar material in a mold: bronze casts of the sculpture. ∎  (also plaster cast) a mold used to make such an object. ∎  (also plaster cast) a bandage stiffened with plaster of Paris, molded to the shape of a limb that is broken and used to support and protect it.2. an act of throwing something forcefully. ∎  archaic at dice, a throw or a number thrown. ∎  Fishing a throw of a fishing line.3. [in sing.] the form or appearance of something, esp. someone's features: she had a somewhat masculine cast of countenance. ∎  the character of something: this question is for minds of a more philosophical cast than mine. ∎  the overall appearance of someone's skin or hair as determined by a tinge of a particular color: the olive cast of his skin.4. a slight squint: he had a cast in one eye.5. a convoluted mass of earth or sand ejected onto the surface by a burrowing worm. ∎  a pellet regurgitated by a hawk or owl.6. a search made by a hound or pack of hounds over a wide area to find a trail.PHRASES: cast adriftsee adrift.cast one's bread upon the waterssee bread.cast one's eyes over have a quick appraising look at.cast light onsee light1 .cast lotssee lot.cast one's mind back think back to a particular event or time: he cast his mind back to the fatal evening.PHRASAL VERBS: cast about (or around) search far and wide (physically or mentally): he is restlessly casting about for novelties.cast aside discard or reject: they cast aside the principles of their youth.be cast away be stranded after a shipwreck.cast off (or cast something off) 1. Knitting take the stitches off the needle by looping each over the next to finish the edge.2. set a boat or ship free from its moorings. ∎  (cast off) (of a boat or ship) be set free from its moorings.3. let loose a hunting hound or hawk.4. Printing estimate the space that will be taken in print by manuscript copy.cast on (or cast something on) Knitting make the first row of a specified number of loops on the needle.cast2 • n. the actors taking part in a play, movie, or other production. • v. (past and past part. cast ) [tr.] assign a part in a play, movie, or other production to (an actor): he was cast as the Spanish dancer | fig. a campaign for good nutrition, in which red meat is cast as the enemy. ∎  allocate parts in (a play, movie, or other production).

cast

views updated May 23 2018

cast superseded OE. weorpan WARP in the sense of THROW, but is now largely itself superseded by the latter in the ordinary physical sense, though used extensively in many transf. and techn. applications. XIII. — ON. kasta.
Hence cast sb. throw XIII; in many derived uses, e.g. †design, device XIII; assignment of parts in a play; twist, turn XVI; tinge, hue XVII; style, sort XVII.

cast

views updated May 08 2018

cast The preserved sediment infill of an impression or mould made in the top of a bed of soft sediment (e.g. flute cast, load cast, tool cast, casts of footprints or trails).

Cast

views updated Jun 11 2018

Cast

the things or quantity created or produced at one time; a group of actors in play; a set or suit of armour; a couple of birds. See also brace, brood, set.

Examples: cast of actors; of armour [a suit]; of bees [an afterswarm], 1662; of bread [baked at one time], 1470; of corn [a yield], 1787; of counters, 1591; of dust, 1697; of eagles, 1615; of falcons, 1826; of goshawks; of grain [amount harvested]; of hawks, 1470; of hay, 1450; of herrings [number thrown in vessel at one time], 1887; of merlins, 1881; of oysters, 1808; of seed [amount scattered at one time]; of stones, 1481; of vultures, 1611; of wood.

cast

views updated Jun 27 2018

cast cast the first stone be the first to make an accusation (used to emphasize that a potential critic is not wholly blameless); the original reference is to John 8:7, and the saying of Jesus to those who wanted to stone a woman who had committed adultery, ‘He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.’
ne'er cast a clout till May be out a warning against leaving off old or warm clothes until the end of the month of May (the saying is sometimes mistakenly understood to refer to may blossom). This saying is recorded from the early 18th century.

cast

views updated Jun 08 2018

cast (kahst) n.
1. a rigid casing designed to immobilize part of the body, usually a fractured limb, until healing has progressed sufficiently. It is made of plaster of Paris, plastic, or fibreglass.

2. a mass of dead cellular, fatty, and other material that forms within a body cavity and takes its shape. It may then be released and appear elsewhere.

cast

views updated May 17 2018

cast The preserved sediment infill of an impression or mould made in the top of a bed of soft sediment (e.g. flute cast (see flute mark), or casts of footprints or trails).

cast

views updated May 29 2018

cast. Reproduction of the form of any object, usually in a material that hardens after a time. It is essentially an object made by running liquid (such as molten metal) or forcing a plastic substance (such as plaster) into a mould or shape which then sets.

CAST

views updated May 29 2018

CAST Consolidated African Selection Trust