1 cast
Pronounced:
/ˈkæst, Brit ˈkɑ:st/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
casts; cast; cast·ingMeaning:
[+ obj] 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 ▪ The fire casts [=gives off] a warm glow. ▪ The tree cast a long shadow on the lawn. —often used figuratively ▪ 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 ▪ cast a play b : to assign (an actor or actress) a role in a film, play, etc. ▪ She was cast as a college professor who becomes a spy. —see also typecast
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.
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 ▪ The fire casts [=gives off] a warm glow. ▪ The tree cast a long shadow on the lawn. —often used figuratively ▪ 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 ▪ cast a play b : to assign (an actor or actress) a role in a film, play, etc. ▪ She was cast as a college professor who becomes a spy. —see also typecast
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 —see 1cloud
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 ▪ They were cast adrift in a small, leaky boat. —often used figuratively ▪ I was cast adrift in a sea of confusion.
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 ▪ They were cast adrift in a small, leaky boat. —often used figuratively ▪ 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 —see 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 ▪ The crew was cast away on a desert island. —see also castaway
cast caution to the wind —see 1caution
cast light on —see 1light
cast lots —see lot
cast off [phrasal verb]
1 cast off (something) or cast (something) off : to get rid of (something) ▪ The snake casts off [=sheds] its skin. ▪ They wanted to cast off their fears. —see also castoff, cast-off
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?
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 —see pearl
cast your eye over —see 1eye
cast your lot —see lot
cast your mind back —see 1mind
cast your net wide —see 1net
the die is cast —see 2die