cast

Definition of cast

Etymology

c.1230, from Old Norse kasta ("to throw"). c.1300, for the noun sense of "a throw".

Pronunciation

• (UK): enPR: käst, IPA: /kɑːst/, SAMPA: /kA:st/
• (US): enPR: kăst, IPA: /kæst/, SAMPA: /k{st/
• Audio (US) ^[?]
• Rhymes: -ɑːst
• Homophones: caste

Noun

cast (plural casts)

1. A supportive and immobilising device used to help mend broken bones.
   
   The doctor put a cast on the boy's broken arm.
   
   
2. The collective group of actors performing a play or production together. Contrasted with crew.
   
   He's in the cast of Oliver.
   
   
3. The casting procedure.
   
   The men got into position for the cast, two at the ladle, two with long rods, all with heavy clothing.
   
   
4. A small mass of earth excreted by a worm.
   
   The area near the stream was covered with little bubbly worm casts.
   
   
5. An object made in a mould.
   
   The cast would need a great deal of machining to become a recognizable finished part.
   
   
6. The mould used to make cast objects
   
   A plaster cast was made of his face.
   
   
7. A squint.
8. Visual appearance.
   
   Her features had a delicate cast to them.
   
   
9. An animal, especially a horse, that is unable to rise without assistance.
10. Animal and insect remains which have been regurgitated by a bird.

Related terms

• plaster cast

Verb

to cast (third-person singular simple present casts, present participle casting, simple past and past participle cast)

1. To throw forcefully.
   
   He cast a stone at the dog.
   
   
2. To throw something down or toss something aside.
   
   to cast away fear
   She cast the die.
   
   
3. To throw a fishing line or net into the water.
   
   The fisherman cast the net into the sea.
   
   
4. (archaic) To give birth to prematurely; to miscarry.
   
   * 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Folio Society 2006, vol. 1 p. 98:
   being with childe, they may without feare of accusation, spoyle and cast [tr. avorter] their children, with certaine medicaments, which they have only for that purpose.
   
   
5. To assign a role in a play or performance.
   
   The director cast the part carefully.
   
   
6. (computing) To change a variable type from, for example, integer to real, or integer to text.
   
   Casting is generally an indication of bad design.
   
   
7. To make by pouring into a mould.
8. (of an animal) To lose the hair or fur of the coat, usually in spring.
9. (of fabric) To twist or warp.
10. (nautical) To bring the bows of a sailing ship on to the required tack just as the anchor is weighed by use of the headsail.
11. (nautical) To heave the lead and line in order to ascertain the depth of water.
12. (accounting) To add up a column of figures; cross-cast refers to adding up a row of figures.
    
    * 1719 Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe
    I cast up the notches on my post, and found I had been on shore three hundred and sixty-five days.
    
    
13. (obsolete) To plan, intend (to do something).
    
    * 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book VII.2:
    "Fayre damesell, I thanke you hartely," seyde Sir Launcelot, "but truly," seyde he, "I caste me never to be wedded man."
    
    
14. (medicine) To set (a bone etc.) in a cast.
15. To deposit or otherwise indicate ones preferences in a vote

Derived terms

• cast away
• casting call
• casting couch
• casting director
• cast iron
• cast off
• cast on
• the die is cast
• cast the first stone
• continuous casting
• cross-cast
• ne'er cast a clout til May be out

References

• Notes:
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Oxford-Paravia Concise - Dizionario Inglese-Italiano e Italiano-Inglese. Edited by Maria Cristina Bareggi. Torino: Paravia, 2003 (in collaboration with Oxford University Press).

Anagrams

• Alphagram: acst
• acts, Acts
• cats, Cats
• scat
• TACS
• TCAS
• TSCA