cast

verb

\ ˈkast

cast; casting

Definition of cast

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to cause to move or send forth by throwing cast a fishing lure cast dice

b : direct cast a glance

c(1) : to put forth the fire casts a warm glow cast light on the subject cast a shadow

(2) : to place as if by throwing cast doubt on their reliability

d : to deposit (a ballot) formally cast her vote

e(1) : to throw off or away the horse cast a shoe

(2) : to get rid of : discard cast off all restraint soda cans and fast-food boxes cast aside on the beach

(3) : shed, molt cast feathers

(4) : to bring forth especially : to give birth to prematurely

f : to throw to the ground especially in wrestling The cow was cast and her legs tied.

g : to build by throwing up earth cast a mound

2a(1) : to perform arithmetical operations on : add

(2) : to calculate by means of astrology cast a person's horoscope

b archaic : decide, intend

3a : to dispose or arrange into parts or into a suitable form or order I shall cast what I have to say under two principal heads — Tatler

b(1) : to assign the parts of (a dramatic production) to actors cast a movie

(2) : to assign (someone, such as an actor) to a role or part was cast in the leading role

4a : to give a shape to (a substance) by pouring in liquid or plastic form into a mold and letting harden without pressure cast steel

b : to form by this process toys cast from plastic

5 : turn cast the scale slightly

6 : to make (a knot or stitch) by looping or catching up cast a square knot

7 : twist, warp a beam cast by age

8 : to transmit the sound and images of (something happening) in real time via the Internet The event is cast live over the Internet and broadcast later on National Public Radio's "Science Friday."— Lynn Teo Simarski The webinar will be cast live over Skype on a large screen at the church.— Cheril Vernon

intransitive verb

1 : to throw something specifically : to throw out a lure with a fishing rod

2 dialectal British : vomit

3 dialectal, England : to bear fruit : yield

4a : to perform addition

b obsolete : estimate, conjecture

5 : warp lumber casts

6 : to range over land in search of a trail —used of hunting dogs or trackers

7 : veer

cast lots

: to draw lots to determine a matter by chance

cast

noun

Definition of cast (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : an act of casting

b : something that happens as a result of chance

c : a throw of dice a seven on the first cast

d : a throw of a line (such as a fishing line) or net a perfect cast

2a : the form in which a thing is constructed

b(1) : the set of actors in a dramatic production The show features an all-star cast.

(2) : a set of characters or persons in both great houses there is the usual cast of servants— Elizabeth Bowen

c : the arrangement of draperies in a painting

3 : the distance to which a thing can be thrown specifically : the distance a bow can shoot

4a : a turning of the eye in a particular direction also : expression this freakish, elfish cast came into the child's eye — Nathaniel Hawthorne

b : a slight strabismus

5 : something that is thrown or the quantity thrown especially, British : the leader of a fishing line

6a : something that is formed by casting in a mold or form: such as

(1) : a reproduction (as of a statue) in metal or plaster : casting

(2) : a fossil reproduction of the details of a natural object by mineral infiltration

b : an impression taken from an object with a liquid or plastic substance : mold They made a mask from a wax cast of her face.

c : a rigid casing (as of fiberglass or of gauze impregnated with plaster of paris) used for immobilizing a usually diseased or broken part has a cast on her broken arm

7 : forecast, conjecture

8a : an overspread of a color or modification of the appearance of a substance by a trace of some added hue : shade gray with a greenish cast

b : tinge, suggestion a cast of bitterness in his words— Walter O'Meara

9a : a ride on one's way in a vehicle : lift A motorist gave him a cast as far as the town.

b Scottish : help, assistance

10a : shape, appearance the delicate cast of her features

b : characteristic quality his father's conservative cast of mind

11 : something that is shed, ejected, or thrown out or off: such as

a : the excrement of an earthworm

b : a mass of soft matter formed in cavities of diseased organs and discharged from the body

c : the skin of an insect

12 : the ranging in search of a trail by a dog, hunting pack, or tracker The setter made a wide cast.

cast

Definition of cast

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