Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CAD'MI-UM, n.

A metal discovered by M. Stromeyer, in 1817, in carbonate of zink, at Hanover. Its color is a fine white, with a shade of bluish gray, resembling that of tin. Its texture is compact, its fracture hackly, and it is susceptible of polish. It is ductile and malleable, and when fused, crystalizes in octahedrons. It melts below a red heat, and suffers no change in air. – Ure. Cleaveland.

CA-DU'CE-AN, a.

Belonging to Mercury's wand.

CA-DU'CE-US, n. [L.]

In antiquity, Mercury's rod; a wand entwisted by two serpents, borne by Mercury as an ensign of quality and office. On medals the Caduceus is a symbol of good conduct, peace and prosperity. The rod represents power; the serpents, wisdom; and the two wings diligence and activity. – Encyc.

CA-DU'CI-TY, n. [L. caducus, from cado, to fall.]

Tendency to fall. [Little used.] – Chesterfield.

CA-DU'COUS, a. [L supra.]

Applied to the envelops of a flower, and to stipules, when they fall off as soon as they are expanded.

CAE'CIAS, n. [CÆ'CIAS; L.]

A wind from the north-east, [and in Latin, according to Ainsworth, from the north-west.] – Milton.

CAE-SA'RI-AN, a. [CÆ-SA'RI-AN; See CESARIAN.]

CAE-SU'RA, n. [CÆ-SU'RA; See CESURA.]

CAF'E-NET, n. [Fr. café.]

In Turkey, a hotel or house of rest for travelers.

CAF-FE'IN, n.

A crystalizable substance contained in coffee.

CAF'TAN, n. [Persic.]

A Persian or Turkish vest or garment. – Johnson.

CAG, n. [Fr. caque; Dan. kag; allied probably to cage, that which holds; Sax. cæggian, to make fast. See Keg.]

A small cask, or barrel, differing from the barrel only in size, and containing a few gallons, but not of any definite capacity. It is generally written Keg.

CAGE, n. [Fr. cage; D. kouw, and kooi. See Cage.]

1. A box or inclosure, made of boards, or with lattice work of wood, wicker, or wire, for confining birds or beasts. For the confinement of the more strong and ferocious beasts, a cage is sometimes made of iron. – Encyc.
2. An inclosure made with palisades for confining wild beasts. – Johnson.
3. A prison for petty criminals. – Johnson.
4. In carpentry, an outer work of timber, inclosing another within it; as, the cage of a windmill, or of a staircase. – Encyc.

CAGE, v.t.

To confine in a cage; to shut up or confine. – Donne.

CA'GED, pp.

Confined in a cage.

CA'GING, ppr.

Confining in a cage.

CA'GIT, n.

A beautiful green parrot of the Philippine isles. – Dict. of Nat. Hist.

CAG'U-I, n.

A monkey of Brazil, of two species, one of them called the Pongi, the other not more than six inches long. They are called also Jacchus and Œdipus. – Encyc. Dict. of Nat. Hist.

CAIC, or CAIQUE, n. [Fr.]

A skiff belonging to a galley.

CAI'MAN, n.

See CAYMAN.

CA-IN'CIC, a.

The caincic acid is from the root of a Brazilian shrub, called cainca; used in the cure of intermittents.

CAIRN, n. [Welsh carn.]

A heap of stones.

CAIS'SON, n. [Fr. from caisse, a chest. See Case.]

1. A wooden chest into which several bombs are put, and sometimes gunpowder, to be laid in the way of an enemy, or under some work of which the enemy intend to possess themselves, and to be fired when they get possession. – Encyc.
2. A wooden frame or chest used in laying the foundation of the pier of a bridge. – Encyc.
3. An ammunition chest or wagon.

CAI'TIF, n. [Fr. chetif; It. cattivo, a captive, a slave, a rascal; cattivare, to master, to enslave. This word is from the L. captivus, a captive, from capio or capto, to take. The sense of knavery is from the natural connection between the degradation of a slave, and vice.]

A mean villain; a despicable knave; it implies a mixture of wickedness and misery. – Johnson.

CAJ'E-PUT, n.

An oil from the East Indies, resembling that of cardamoms, obtained from a species of Melaleuca. – Encyc.