cast
4 ENTRIES FOUND:
casts;
cast;
casting
casts;
cast;
casting
Britannica Dictionary definition of CAST
[+ object]
1
a
:
to throw or move (something) in a forceful way
-
cast [=throw, toss] a stone
-
Seaweed was cast up by the waves.
b
:
to throw (a fishing line, hook, etc.) into the water by using a fishing pole
2
a
:
to send or direct (something) in the direction of someone or something
-
He cast a glance toward the door. [=he glanced at the door]
-
The witch cast [=put] a spell on him.
b
:
to send (something) out or forward
— often used figuratively
-
The fire casts [=gives off] a warm glow.
-
The tree cast a long shadow on the lawn.
-
The trial casts a harsh light on [=reveals bad things about] the banking industry.
-
Their argument cast a pall on the party. [=gave the party an unhappy mood]
-
The incident casts doubt on her honesty.
3
:
to make (a vote) formally
-
How many votes were cast?
-
cast a ballot
4
a
:
to assign roles for (a play, movie, etc.) to actors
b
:
to assign (an actor or actress) a role in a film, play, etc.
—
see also typecast
-
She was cast as a college professor who becomes a spy.
5
a
:
to shape (a substance) by pouring it into a mold and letting it harden
-
The metal was cast into candlesticks.
-
molds used for casting steel
b
:
to form (something, such as a sculpture) by casting metal, plaster, etc.
-
The statue will be cast in bronze.
6
:
to arrange (something) into parts or into a proper form
-
He cast the story in the form of a diary.
7
:
to talk about or think of (someone or something) in a particular way
-
The war was cast as a battle against terrorism.
-
Health care issues are often cast in economic terms.
cast about/around for
[phrasal verb]
cast about/around for (something)
:
to look in many places for (something)
-
They cast about for new ways to make money on the farm.
-
She is still casting around for [=seeking] someone to watch her son while she is at work.
cast a (dark) cloud
cast adrift
[phrasal verb]
1
cast (a boat) adrift
:
to cause (a boat) to float on the water without being tied to anything or controlled by anyone
— often used as (be) cast adrift
-
a small lifeboat cast adrift in the open sea
2
cast (someone) adrift
:
to cause (someone) to float on the water in a boat that is not tied to anything or controlled by anyone
— often used as (be) cast adrift
— often used figuratively
-
They were cast adrift in a small, leaky boat.
-
I was cast adrift in a sea of confusion.
cast aside
[phrasal verb]
cast aside (something)
or
cast (something) aside
:
to stop thinking about (something)
-
She tried to cast aside her worries and enjoy the party.
cast aspersions
cast away
[phrasal verb]
cast away (someone)
or
cast (someone) away
:
to leave (someone) alone somewhere (such as on an island) as a result of a storm, shipwreck, etc.
— usually used as (be) cast away
—
see also castaway
-
The crew was cast away on a desert island.
cast caution to the wind
cast light on
cast lots
cast off
[phrasal verb]
2
:
to untie the rope that is holding a boat near the land
-
We decided to cast off and head out to sea.
3
:
to remove stitches from a knitting needle in a way that does not cause them to become loose
-
When I finish this row, can you show me how to cast off?
cast on
[phrasal verb]
:
to place stitches on a knitting needle
-
I was having trouble casting on, but I think I have it now.
cast out
[phrasal verb]
cast out (someone or something)
or
cast (someone or something) out
:
to force (someone or something) to go away
-
He was cast out of [=expelled from] the tribe.
-
They tried to cast out the spirits from the haunted house.
cast pearls before swine
cast your eye over
cast your lot
cast your mind back
cast your net wide
the die is cast
2
cast
/ˈkæst/
Brit
/ˈkɑːst/
noun
plural
casts
2
cast
/ˈkæst/
Brit
/ˈkɑːst/
noun
plural
casts
Britannica Dictionary definition of CAST
1
[count]
:
the actors in a play, film, or television show
-
members of the cast = cast members
-
The show features an all-star cast. [=a cast that includes many famous actors]
-
a strong supporting cast [=the actors other than the main stars]
◊ The phrase cast of characters is sometimes used to refer to a group of people who have important roles in a book, story, or event.
-
The cast of characters includes President Johnson and his top advisers during the Vietnam War.
2
[count]
:
a hard covering that is put on an arm, leg, etc., so that a broken bone can heal
-
She has a cast on her arm.
— called also
plaster cast
3
[count]
:
a container that is used to give its form or shape to something that is poured or pressed into it
:
mold
also
:
an object that is made by using such a container
-
They made a mask from a wax cast of her face.
4
[singular]
literary
:
the shape or appearance of something
-
His face had a rugged cast.
5
[singular]
:
a slight bit of color
-
old photographs with a reddish cast
6
[singular]
:
a characteristic of a person or thing
:
a distinctive quality
-
She has a skeptical cast of mind. [=she tends to be skeptical]
7
[count]
:
the act of throwing a fishing line into water with a pole
