Adjacent Words

Castor definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

CASTOR, n.
1. A beaver, an amphibious quadruped, with a flat ovate tail, short ears, a blunt nose, small fore feet, and large hind feet.
2. A reddish brown substance of a strong penetrating smell, taken from bags or cods in the groin of the beaver; a powerful antispasmodic.
3. In astronomy, a moiety of the constellation Gemini, called also Apollo.
Castor and Pollux, in meterology, a fiery meteor, which, at sea, appears sometimes adhering to a part of a ship, in the form of one, two and even three or four balls. When one is seen alone, it is called Helena, which portends that the severest part of the storm is yet to come. Two appearing at once are denominated Castor and Pollux, or Tyndaridoe, and portend a cessation of the storm.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a multiple star with 6 components; second brightest in Gemini; close to Pollux [syn: Castor, Alpha Geminorum]
2: a shaker with a perforated top for sprinkling powdered sugar [syn: caster, castor]
3: a pivoting roller attached to the bottom of furniture or trucks or portable machines to make them movable [syn: caster, castor]
4: a hat made with the fur of a beaver (or similar material) [syn: beaver, castor]
5: type genus of the Castoridae: beavers [syn: Castor, genus Castor]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Middle English, from Latin, from Greek kast?r, from Kast?r Castor Date: 14th century 1. beaver 1a 2. castoreum 3. a beaver hat

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Latin, from Greek Kast?r Date: 15th century 1. one of the Dioscuri 2. the more northern of the two bright stars in Gemini

Oxford Reference Dictionary

1. n. (also caster) 1 a small swivelled wheel (often one of a set) fixed to a leg (or the underside) of a piece of furniture. 2 a small container with holes in the top for sprinkling the contents. Phrases and idioms: castor action swivelling of vehicle wheels to ensure stability. castor sugar finely granulated white sugar. Etymology: orig. a var. of CASTER (in the general sense) 2. n. an oily substance secreted by beavers and used in medicine and perfumes. Etymology: F or L f. Gk kastor beaver

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Castor Cas"tor, n. [L. castor the beaver, Gr. ?; of uncertain origin.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of rodents, including the beaver. See Beaver. 2. Castoreum. See Castoreum. 3. A hat, esp. one made of beaver fur; a beaver. I have always been known for the jaunty manner in which I wear my castor. --Sir W. Scott. 4. A heavy quality of broadcloth for overcoats.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Castor Cast"or, n. See Caster, a small wheel.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Castor Cas"tor, n. [L.] (Astron.) the northernmost of the two bright stars in the constellation Gemini, the other being Pollux.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Castor Cas"tor, Castorite Cas"tor*ite, n. [The minerals castor and pollux were so named because found together on the island of Elba. See Castor and Pollux.] (Min.) A variety of the mineral called petalite, from Elba.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(castors) Note: in AM usually use, and in BRIT sometimes use 'caster' Castors are small wheels fitted to a piece of furniture so that it can be moved more easily. N-COUNT

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. 1. Caster, small wheel or swivel (on which furniture is rolled). 2. (Med.) Castoreum.

1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

A hat. To prig a castor; to steal a hat.