carnivorous(kahr NIV oer uhs) adj. 1. flesh eating (as opposed to herbivorous);- insect eating (applying to some plants); 3. of the carnivores
- Wolves hunt mostly mammalian prey because they are carnivorous.
- The sundew represents a class of carnivorous plants.
- Having canine teeth, or fangs, is a carnivoroustrait.
cartographer (kahr TOG ruh fuhr) n.a person who designs and makes maps
or charts - Mercator is the name of the man who is probably the best-known cartogra-
pherwho ever lived. - Robinson is another well-known cartographer.
castigate*(KAS ti gayt) vt.to punish or bawl out, especially by using harsh
public criticism - The police chief proceeded to castigatethe officers for showing poor
judgment dealing with the demonstrators. - The nine-year-old castigatedthe president for not being able to pronounce
“nuclear.”
[-d, castigating, castigation, castigator n., castigatory adj.] [Syn. punish]
catalyst*(KAT uh list) n.1. an agent in a chemical reaction that causes the
reaction to speed up, but does not itself undergo any permanent change; 2. a per-
son or thing that speeds up a result - During the process of photosynthesis, chlorophyll is the catalystfor plants
combining water and carbon dioxide to manufacture sugar and oxygen in
the presence of light. - The catalystfor Karen and David giving their realtor an immediate deposit
on the house was another couple’s interest in it.
catnap (KAT nap) n.a doze; a short, light sleep —vi.to take a snooze
- The watchman often takes two- or three-minute catnaps.
- Karen often catnapswhile watching TV at night.
[-ped, -ping]
cautious(KAW shus) adj. very careful; trying to avoid danger; wary; circumspect - The bomb-squad member was very cautiousin his approach to the mysteri-
ous package. - Cautiouspeople regret less later.
[-ness n., -ly adv.] [Syn. careful]
celebrate(SEL eb RAYT) vt.1. to perform some kind of public and formal ritual;
- to mark an anniversary, a holiday, etc. with ceremony or festiveness; 3. to praise
or honor publicly; 4. to perform cheerful activity to mark an occasion- Melissa and Gino invited 200 people to celebratetheir wedding.
- Let’s celebrateArbor Day with a tree-planting ceremony.
- We join with Timmy to celebrateLassie’s heroics yet again.
- Get out the noisemakers and funny hats so that we can celebratethe ring-
ing in of the New Year.
[-d, celebrating, celebration n.] [Syn. commemorate, observe]
46 Essential Vocabulary