cast

Meanings

Verb

• To direct (one's eyes, gaze etc.).
• To add up (a column of figures, accounts etc.); cross-cast refers to adding up a row of figures.
• To perform, bring forth (a magical spell or enchantment).
• To throw (light etc.) on or upon something, or in a given direction.
• To give birth to (a child) prematurely; to miscarry.
• To shape (molten metal etc.) by pouring into a mould; to make (an object) in such a way.
• To twist or warp (of fabric, timber etc.).
• To bring the bows of a sailing ship on to the required tack just as the anchor is weighed by use of the headsail; to bring (a ship) round.
• To deposit (a ballot or voting paper); to formally register (one's vote).
• To change a variable type from, for example, integer to real, or integer to text.
• Of dogs, hunters: to spread out and search for a scent.
• To set (a bone etc.) in a cast.
• To open a circle in order to begin a spell or meeting of witches.
• To broadcast.

Noun

• An act of throwing.
• An instance of throwing out a fishing line.
• Something which has been thrown, dispersed etc.
• A small mass of earth "thrown off" or excreted by a worm.
• The collective group of actors performing a play or production together. Contrasted with crew.
• The casting procedure.
• An object made in a mould.
• A supportive and immobilising device used to help mend broken bones.
• The mould used to make cast objects.
• The number of hawks (or occasionally other birds) cast off at one time; a pair.
• A squint.
• Visual appearance.
• The form of one's thoughts, mind etc.
• An animal, especially a horse, that is unable to rise without assistance.
• Animal and insect remains which have been regurgitated by a bird.
• A group of crabs.
• A broadcast.

Origin

• From Middle English casten, from Old Norse kasta ("to throw, cast, overturn"), from Proto-Germanic *kastōną ("to throw, cast"), of unknown origin. Cognate with Scots cast ("to cast, throw"), Danish kaste ("to throw"), Swedish kasta ("to throw, cast, fling, toss, discard"), Icelandic kasta ("to pitch, toss"). In the sense of "flinging", displaced native warp.
• The senses relating to broadcasting are based on that same term; compare -cast.