📖 C — The English dictionary · page 22

characteristically — Everyday, meaning 1: In a way that is typical of a particular person or thing; as they usually do: «Characteristically, Grandma brought cake.».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: In a way that shows a special feature of something: «The leaves are characteristically heart-shaped.».↗ Example: Characteristically, Toad crashed the car on his first day.↗ · The cat characteristically ignored us when we came home.↗ · Holly leaves are characteristically spiky.↗ · She answered characteristically fast, with her hand up first.↗ · Characteristically for a cheetah, it sprinted and then rested.↗ · He was characteristically late for the bus.↗ · The weather was characteristically wet for a Manchester spring.↗

characterize — Everyday, meaning 1: To characterize something is to show what it is like by its special features.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To characterize is to be the mark that makes something what it is.↗ Example: The story is characterized by clever animals.↗ · His snub nose and fat back characterized him.↗ · Many fables are characterized by strict rules.↗ · Her kindness characterizes the whole tale.↗

charades — Everyday, meaning 1: A party game where one player acts out a word, film, book or song title without speaking, and the others try to guess it.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (charade, a charade, charades) A silly pretence that everyone can see through, as in «the meeting was a charade».↗ Example: We played charades after Christmas dinner.↗ · In charades, you must not speak.↗ · I acted out «Frozen» in charades.↗ · Charades is my favourite party game.↗ · His kindness was just a charade to get our sweets.↗ · Hold up two fingers in charades to show two words.↗

charcoal — Everyday, meaning 1: Charcoal is a black, light material made by burning wood slowly with very little air; it burns hot and is used as fuel for barbecues.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A charcoal is a stick of this material used for drawing, or a drawing made with it.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Charcoal, or charcoal grey, is a very dark grey colour.↗ Example: Dad lit the charcoal for the barbecue.↗ · We drew the bowl of fruit with charcoal in art class.↗ · The charcoal smudged when I touched it with my finger.↗ · Never bring a charcoal grill into a tent or a house.↗ · Charcoal is mostly carbon.↗ · She wore a charcoal grey coat.↗ · The coals were glowing red under a layer of white ash.↗ · Activated charcoal is used in some water filters.↗

charge — Everyday, meaning 1: To charge is to ask money for something.↗ A charge is the price or fee.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To charge a phone or battery is to fill it with electric power.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: To charge is to run hard straight at something, like a bull charging.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: To be in charge is to be the one who leads and decides.↗ Everyday, meaning 5: To charge someone with a crime is to say officially that they did it.↗ Example: The shop charges 5 dollars an hour.↗ · They charge 2 dollars per bag.↗ · There is a 3 dollar delivery charge.↗ · Her phone charges 10 percent every 15 minutes.↗ · Entry to the museum is free of charge.↗ · Ms Lee is in charge of the school trip.↗ · Plug in the tablet so it can charge overnight.↗ · The bull charged at the gate.↗ · Rubbing a balloon gives it an electric charge.↗ · A snap too much and the bulls will charge.↗ · And Moses charged the people the same day, saying: (Torah DEU.27.11, JPS 1917)↗ · Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charges.'↗ (Torah NUM.8.26, JPS 1917)↗ · because that Abraham hearkened to My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.'↗ (Torah GEN.26.5, JPS 1917)↗ · And I charged Baruch before them, saying: (Prophets JER.32.13, JPS 1917)↗ · Who gave Him a charge over the earth?↗ (Writings JOB.34.13, JPS 1917)↗ · Let his days be few; let another take his charge.↗ (Writings PSA.109.8, JPS 1917)↗

charger — Everyday, meaning 1: A device that puts electricity back into a battery, like a phone or laptop charger.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (old, in stories) A horse ridden by a knight into battle.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A large flat plate (rare).↗ Example: Can I borrow your phone charger?↗ · Plug the charger into the wall socket.↗ · Don't leave your tablet charging under the pillow.↗ · The charger got hot, so Mum unplugged it.↗ · Electric cars use a big charger at a charging station.↗ · The knight rode his white charger into battle.↗ · My charger cable is frayed, so I need a new one.↗ · Outside stood his faithful charger, pawing the ground.↗

chariot — Everyday, meaning 1: A two-wheeled cart pulled by horses, used in ancient times for war and racing.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (literary) Any grand carriage.↗ Example: The Romans raced chariots in the Circus Maximus.↗ · Boudicca rode into battle in a chariot.↗ · In the Bible, Elijah was taken up in a chariot of fire.↗ · The Egyptian king stood in his golden chariot.↗ · Two horses pulled the chariot.↗ · We made a model chariot in history class.↗ · The crowd cheered as the chariots raced round the track.↗ · The next morning they started in the same chariot.↗ · And he made ready his chariots, and took his people with him.↗ (Torah EXO.14.6, JPS 1917)↗ · And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen; and it was a very great company.↗ (Torah GEN.50.9, JPS 1917)↗ · And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over all of them.↗ (Torah EXO.14.7, JPS 1917)↗ · Why tarry the wheels of his chariots?↗ (Prophets JDG.5.28, JPS 1917)↗ · And Joram said: 'Make ready.'↗ And they made ready his chariot.↗ (Prophets 2KI.9.21, JPS 1917)↗ · I have compared thee, O my love, to a steed in Pharaoh's chariots.↗ (Writings SNG.1.9, JPS 1917)↗

charioteer — Everyday, meaning 1: A charioteer is a person who drives a chariot, a two-wheeled cart pulled by horses (old use).↗ Example: The charioteer cracked his whip and the horses galloped on.↗ · "Move out of the way, charioteer!"↗ · My charioteer will go with you on the road.↗

charisma — Everyday, meaning 1: A special charm and confidence that makes people like, notice and follow someone.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (church) In some churches, a spiritual gift (charism) that Christians believe is given by the Holy Spirit.↗ Example: The new class captain has lots of charisma.↗ · Good leaders often have charisma.↗ · The singer's charisma filled the whole stadium.↗ · He was not handsome, but he had charisma.↗ · Charisma helped her win the election.↗ · Some people mistake charisma for being kind.↗

charitable — Everyday, meaning 1: Charitable means kind and generous in giving money, food or help to people in need.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Charitable means having to do with a charity: «a charitable trust».↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Charitable means kind in judging others, not thinking the worst: «a charitable view».↗ Example: Our school does lots of charitable work at Christmas.↗ · She is very charitable and gives to the food bank.↗ · The money went to a charitable trust for children.↗ · To be charitable, he did try his best.↗ · The charitable people of the town rebuilt the hall.↗ · Volunteering is a charitable thing to do.↗ · "Take what you will," said the farmer, an honest charitable man.↗

charity — Everyday, meaning 1: A charity is an organisation that collects money and help for people or animals in need.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Charity is giving money, food or help to people who need it.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Charity can mean kindness in judging other people.↗ Early Modern English, meaning 1: Goodwill toward others, or a kind act done freely for someone in need.↗ Example: We raised fifty pounds for charity.↗ · Our school held a fun run for charity.↗ · She gives old toys to the charity shop.↗ · The charity helps homeless dogs.↗ · Lots of charities help after floods.↗ · He did a sponsored walk for a children's charity.↗ · Charity begins at home.↗ · It's pure charity that she is here at all.↗ · It's pure charity that she is here at all.↗ (Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen) · In a charity school, among the children, sat a little Jewish girl.↗ (Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen) · ‘All hail!’ said the girl.↗ ‘I have come, of your charity, to ask your help!’↗ (The Pink Fairy Book)

charlotte — Everyday, meaning 1: Charlotte is a girl's name, and the name of cities such as Charlotte in North Carolina, USA.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A charlotte is a pudding made with fruit or cream inside a case of bread, sponge cake or sponge fingers: «apple charlotte».↗ Example: Charlotte is my best friend.↗ · We read «Charlotte's Web» in class.↗ · Grandma made an apple charlotte for pudding.↗ · Princess Charlotte waved to the crowd.↗ · Charlotte is a big city in North Carolina.↗ · The strawberry charlotte was full of cream.↗ · Charlotte blushed to guess at it.↗

charm — Everyday, meaning 1: The power to please or attract people (He has lots of charm).↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A small ornament, often on a bracelet (a charm bracelet).↗ Everyday, meaning 3: An object or words believed to bring good luck or magic (a lucky charm).↗ Everyday, meaning 4: To please or attract someone.↗ Everyday, meaning 5: To control by magic (charm a snake).↗ Example: The old house has a lot of charm.↗ · Her charm bracelet has six tiny charms.↗ · He carries a lucky charm in his pocket.↗ · The puppy charmed everyone at the park.↗ · The fixed bike works like a charm.↗ · The witch put a charm on the castle.↗ · Third time's a charm!↗ · If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then the charmer hath no advantage.↗ (Writings ECC.10.11, JPS 1917)↗ · For, behold, I will send serpents, basilisks, among you, which will not be charmed; and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.↗ (Prophets JER.8.17, JPS 1917)↗ · Yet shall evil came upon thee; thou shalt not know how to charm it away; and calamity shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it away; and ruin shall come upon thee suddenly, before thou knowest.↗ (Prophets ISA.47.11, JPS 1917)↗

charmer — Everyday, meaning 1: A person who is very pleasant and attractive and makes people like them easily, sometimes to get what they want.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A person who charms animals, especially a snake charmer, who seems to make a snake «dance» to music.↗ Example: My little brother is a real charmer; everyone gives him sweets.↗ · The new puppy was a charmer and won the whole family over.↗ · The fox in the fable was a smooth charmer who fooled the crow.↗ · The snake charmer played a flute in front of a basket.↗ · Be careful: a charmer online may be lying about who they are.↗ · Grandpa was a charmer who could make anyone laugh.↗ · or a charmer, or one that consulteth a ghost or a familiar spirit, or a necromancer.↗ (Torah DEU.18.11, JPS 1917)↗ · If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then the charmer hath no advantage.↗ (Writings ECC.10.11, JPS 1917)↗ · Which hearkeneth not to the voice of charmers, or of the most cunning binder of spells.↗ (Writings PSA.58.6, JPS 1917)↗ · The captain of fifty, and the man of rank, and the counsellor, and the cunning charmer, and the skilful enchanter.↗ (Prophets ISA.3.3, JPS 1917)↗

charon — Everyday, meaning 1: (Greek myth) Charon is the ferryman in ancient Greek stories who rowed the souls of the dead across the river Styx (or Acheron) into the underworld, in return for a coin.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (science) Charon is the largest moon of the dwarf planet Pluto, about half Pluto's size.↗ Example: Charon rowed the dead across the river Styx.↗ · The Greeks put a coin with the dead to pay Charon.↗ · Charon is Pluto's biggest moon.↗ · The New Horizons spacecraft took photos of Charon.↗ · Pluto and Charon spin around each other like dancers.↗ · In the story the hero had no coin for Charon.↗

chart — Everyday, meaning 1: A drawing that shows information, such as a graph, table or diagram (a bar chart).↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A map of the sea or sky used by sailors or pilots.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: The charts: lists of the most popular songs.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: To make a chart or map of something.↗ Everyday, meaning 5: To follow or record how something changes (chart your progress).↗ Example: Draw a bar chart of our favourite fruits.↗ · The pie chart shows how we spend the day.↗ · The captain studied the sea chart.↗ · Her song went straight to number one in the charts.↗ · We charted the plant's height each week.↗ · My reward chart has ten stars.↗ · The explorers charted the coast.↗

chase — Everyday, meaning 1: To chase is to run after someone or something to catch it.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To chase away is to make someone go away by running after them.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A chase is the act of running after someone.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: To chase a dream is to try hard to get it.↗ Example: A dog chases a cat.↗ · The fox chases 3 rabbits.↗ · The cat runs 5 m a second and the dog chases at 7.↗ · How long until he catches up?↗ · We played chase in the playground.↗ · The farmer chased the crows away from the corn.↗ · A cheetah can chase its prey at great speed.↗ · The film ends with a long car chase.↗ · She is chasing her dream of becoming a dancer.↗ · There was his sister chasing him.↗ · And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.↗ (Torah LEV.26.7, JPS 1917)↗ · And five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand; and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.↗ (Torah LEV.26.8, JPS 1917)↗ · And the Amorites, that dwell in that hill-country, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and beat you down in Seir, even unto Hormah.↗ (Torah DEU.1.44, JPS 1917)↗ · He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.↗ (Writings JOB.18.18, JPS 1917)↗ · They have chased me sore like a bird, that are mine enemies without cause.↗ (Writings LAM.3.52, JPS 1917)↗ · And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their camp.↗ (Prophets 1SA.17.53, JPS 1917)↗