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caveat emptor
cau·cus /'kɔ:kəs/ n [C+sing. / pl. v] (a meeting of) a group of people in a political party, who come together to decide on political plans or to choose people who will represent the party in an election
cau·dal /'kɔ:dl/ adj tech of or at the tail or tail-end of the body —-ly adv
caught /kɔ:t/ past tense and past participle of CATCH
caul·dron. cal- /'kɔ:ldrən/ n old use or lit a large round open metal pot for boiling liquids over a fire. In stories WITCHes use cauldrons to make harmful substances.
Caul·field, Hol·den /'kɔ:lfi:ld, 'həʊldən/ the main character in the book THE CATCHER IN THE RYE by J. D. SALINGER. Holden Cauldfield has a lot of difficult experiences because he is a TEENAGER.
cau·li·flow·er /'kɒli,flaʊəʳ ll'kɔ:-, 'ka:-/ n [C;U] (the white part, cooked and eaten as food, of) a garden vegetable with green leaves around a large firm white head of undeveloped flowers
cauliflower 'ear n an ear which is damaged and an odd shape as a result of a blow to the head, especially while boxing
caulk. calk /kɔ:k/ v [T] to block up (cracks, especially in a ship) with oily or sticky WATERPROOF material
caus·al /'kɔ:zəl/ adj fml having or showing the relationship of cause and effect: They denied that there was any causal connection/link between unemployment and crime. —-ly adv
cau·sal·i·ty /kɔ:'zæləti/ n [U] fml the relationship between a cause and its effect; the principle that events have causes
cau·sa·tion /kɔ:'zeɪʃən/ n [U] fml 1 the action of causing something 2 the relationship of cause and effect; causality
caus·a·tive /'kɔ:zətɪv/ adj fml 1 acting as a cause; producing an effect: one of several causative factors in the company's failure 2 tech (of a verb or verb form) showing that the subject of the verb is the cause of an action or state —-ly adv
cause¹ /kɔ:z/ n 1 [C(of)] something which produces an effect; a person, thing, or event that makes something happen: Ice on the road was the cause of the accident. | In our view, the root cause/underlying cause of the crime problem (=the most important cause from which all others come) is poverty and unemployment. | He is the cause of all my unhappiness. 2 [U] something that provides a satisfactory reason for an action; JUSTIFICATION; GROUNDS: Don't complain without (good) cause. | to show cause (=give a good reason) for dismissing a worker | The patient's condition is giving cause for concern. 3 [C] a principle, aim, or movement that is strongly defended or supported: her lifelong devotion to the cause of women's rights | collecting money for good causes such as famine relief 4 [C] law the reason for action in a court of law; a matter over which a person takes legal action 5 make common cause (with) fml to take action together for a particular purpose: We made common cause with neighbouring countries against the invaders. → see also LOST CAUSE; see REASON (USAGE)
cause² v [T] to lead to or be the cause of: What caused the accident? | They have been charged with causing criminal damage. | [+obj+to-v] His illness caused him to miss the game. | [+obj(I)+obj(d)] This car has caused me a lot of trouble. | Her irresponsible behaviour has caused a great deal of anxiety to/for her family. | They believe inflation is caused by big wage increases.
Compare cause and make. Cause can be formal or informal: Cigarettes may cause cancer. | Why do you always cause so much trouble? Cause something to do something is formal: The earthquake caused several buildings to collapse. Make has a similar meaning, but is used more in conversation, and is used in the pattern make someone do something: It's a sad film; it'll make you cry.
cause cé·lè·bre /ˌkəʊz se'lebrə, ˌkɔ:z-/ n pl. causes célèbres (same pronunciation) Fr 1 an event which attracts a lot of usually unfavourable attention 2 a case in a court of law that receives a lot of public interest
cause·way /'kɔ:zweɪ/ n a raised road or path, especially across wet ground or water
caus·tic /'kɔ:stɪk/ adj 1 able to burn or destroy by chemical action; CORROSIVE: caustic soda 2 (especially of remarks) showing strong dislike or disapproval and intended to hurt; bitter: John's always making caustic comments about your work. | caustic satire/wit —-ally /kli/ adv
cau·ter·ize also -ise BrE /'kɔ:təraɪz/ v [T] med to burn (a wound, snake bite etc) with a very hot iron or caustic substance to destroy infection
cau·tion¹ /'kɔ:ʃən/ n 1 [U] the quality of using great care and attention, especially in order to avoid danger: Open the box with caution. | You must exercise great caution when operating the machine. | Their claims should be treated with extreme caution. (=not accepted or believed without careful thought) 2 [C] a spoken warning usually given by a policeman, judge etc when a person has broken the law or done something wrong but when the crime is not serious: I'll let you off with a caution this time. 3 [S] old-fash a person or thing that causes amusement
caution² v [T] 1 [(about, against)] to warn against possible danger: She cautioned the child against talking to strange men. | [+that] The director cautioned that these changes could lead to job losses. | [+obj+that] (law) The policeman said, 'I must caution you that anything you say may be used against you (at your trial).' 2 [(for, about)] BrE law to warn officially about something bad already done, often with the threat of future punishment for doing it again: The policeman cautioned me for speeding.
cau·tion·ar·y /'kɔ:ʃənəri||-neri/ adj fml or humor giving advice or a warning: a cautionary tale (=story) about a boy who had been seriously injured while playing near the railway line
cau·tious /'kɔ:ʃəs/ adj [(about, of, with)] using or showing caution; careful to avoid risks; PRUDENT: a cautious approach to dealing with the problem | cautious with money | The bank is very cautious about lending money. | a very cautious driver | cautious optimism —-ly adv: She opened the door cautiously so as not to wake the baby. | These suggestions were cautiously welcomed by the committee. —-ness n [U]
cav·al·cade /ˌkævəl'keɪd, 'kævəlkeɪd/ n [C+sing./pl. v] a ceremonial procession of riders, vehicles etc
cav·a·lier /ˌkævə'lɪəʳ/ adj thoughtless and disrespectful; OFFHAND: I'm annoyed at your cavalier attitude towards this serious matter. | a cavalier manner
Cavalier n a supporter of King Charles I against parliament in the English Civil War of the 17th century, in which the Cavaliers fought against the ROUNDHEADS
cav·al·ry /'kævəlri/ n [(the) U+sing./pl. v] 1 (especially in former times) soldiers who fight on horseback: The cavalry was/were advancing. | cavalry officers 2 a branch of a modern army that uses armoured vehicles → compare INFANTRY
cav·al·ry·man /'kævəlrimən/ n pl. -men /mən/ (especially in former times) a soldier who fights on horseback
cave¹ /keɪv/ n a deep natural hollow place, either underground, with an opening to the surface, or in the side of a cliff or hill
cave² v
cave in phr v [I] 1 (of a roof or the covering over a hollow place) to fall in or down 2 [(to)] infml, often derog, to give up opposition, especially as a result of pressure or persuasion; YIELD: They refused to cave in to the terrorists' demands. —'cave-in n: a cave-in at the mine
ca·ve·at /'kæviæt, 'kæv-/ n [(against)] fml a statement or warning intended to prevent misunderstanding: The evidence looks convincing but there is one important caveat - namely, that it all comes from the same unreliable source.
caveat emp·tor /ˌkæviæt 'emptɔ:ʳ, ˌkæv-/ n [U] Lat a