cast - Dictionary definition and pronunciation

cast

st) KEY

VERB:
cast , cast·ing , casts
VERB:
tr.

1. To throw (something, especially something light): The angler cast the line.
2. To throw with force; hurl: waves that cast driftwood far up on the shore. See Synonyms at throw.
To shed; molt.
To throw forth; drop: cast anchor.
To throw on the ground, as in wrestling.
To deposit or indicate (a ballot or vote).
To turn or direct: All eyes were cast upon the speaker.
To cause to fall onto or over something or in a certain direction, as if by throwing: candles casting light; cast aspersions on my character; findings that cast doubt on our hypothesis.
To bestow; confer: "The government I cast upon my brother" (Shakespeare).
1. To roll or throw (dice, for example).
2. To draw (lots).
To give birth to prematurely: The cow cast a calf.
To cause (hunting hounds) to scatter and circle in search of a lost scent.
1. To choose actors for (a play, for example).
2. To assign a certain role to (an actor): cast her as the lead.
3. To assign an actor to (a part): cast each role carefully.
To form (liquid metal, for example) into a particular shape by pouring into a mold.
To give a form to; arrange: decided to cast the book in three parts.
To contrive; devise: cast a plan.
To calculate or compute; add up (a column of figures).
To calculate astrologically: cast my horoscope.
To warp; twist: floorboards cast by age.
Nautical To turn (a ship); change to the opposite tack.

VERB:
intr.

To throw something, especially to throw out a lure or bait at the end of a fishing line.
To add a column of figures; make calculations.
To make a conjecture or a forecast.
To receive form or shape in a mold.
To become warped.
To search for a lost scent in hunting with hounds.
Nautical
1. To veer to leeward from a former course; fall off.
2. To put about; tack.
To choose actors for the parts in a play, movie, or other theatrical presentation.
Obsolete To estimate; conjecture.

NOUN:

1. The act or an instance of casting or throwing.
2. The distance thrown.
1. A throwing of a fishing line or net into the water.
2. The line or net thrown.
1. A throw of dice.
2. The number thrown.
A stroke of fortune or fate; lot.
1. A direction or expression of the eyes.
2. A slight squint.
Something, such as molted skin, that is thrown off, out, or away.
The addition of a column of figures; calculation.
A conjecture; a forecast.
1. The act of pouring molten material into a mold.
2. The amount of molten material poured into a mold at a single operation.
3. Something formed by this means: The sculpture was a bronze cast.
An impression formed in a mold or matrix; a mold: a cast of her face made in plaster.
A rigid dressing, usually made of gauze and plaster of Paris, used to immobilize an injured body part, as in a fracture or dislocation. Also called plaster cast .
The form in which something is made or constructed; arrangement: the close-set cast of her features.
Outward form or look; appearance: a suit of stylish cast.
Sort; type: fancied himself to be of a macho cast.
An inclination; tendency: her thoughtful cast of mind.
The actors in a play, movie, or other theatrical presentation.
A slight trace of color; a tinge.
A distortion of shape.
The circling of hounds to pick up a scent in hunting.
A pair of hawks released by a falconer at one time. See Synonyms at flock ¹.

PHRASAL VERBS:
cast about or around

To make a search; look: had to cast about for an hour, looking for a good campsite.
To devise means; contrive.

cast off

cast on

To make the first row of stitches in knitting.

cast out

To drive out by force; expel.

IDIOM:
cast (one's) lot with

To join or side with for better or worse.

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English casten, from Old Norse kasta

Definition of cast