39864 words found
C. S. Lewis refers to Clive Staples Lewis, a 20th‑century British writer and scholar best known for The Chronicles of Narnia and his works on theology and philosophy. The name is often spoken as three initials followed by a surname, with careful attention to the consonant cluster in Lewis. Pronunciation emphasizes the initials clearly and ends with a soft, unstressed final syllable in British and American speech alike.
C'est La Guerre is a French-language nominal phrase meaning “that’s war” or more idiomatically “that’s war,” often used to acknowledge conflict or the harsh realities of combat. In English contexts it’s treated as a foreign phrase, typically italicized or quoted, and can function as a thematic label or quoted declaration in discussions of history, politics, or literature. It carries a formal, historical register and formal pronunciation cues for non-native speakers.
C'est La Vie is a French loanphrase used in English to mean ‘that’s life’ or ‘such is life.’ It signals acceptance of an unfavourable outcome with a shrug or wry humor, often uttered at the end of a minor setback. In practice it functions as a casual, global idiom for mild resignation rather than a statement of fact or instruction.
CDC, spoken as three letters in sequence, is a verb meaning to centralize or direct to a command structure in contexts like governance, organizational control, or a project’s leadership phase. It’s used especially in bureaucratic or formal discussions about coordinating teams, data, or procedures. In rapid speech, each letter is enunciated, producing a clipped, acronym-style verb with distinct letter-stem emphasis.
CEO is a noun referring to the highest-ranking executive in a company, responsible for strategic direction and overall management. The term is an initialism pronounced as a word in many contexts, often used in business communication to denote the chief executive officer position rather than spelling out the letters. In casual speech, it’s common to refer to the person as the CEO rather than the title.
COVID is a verb meaning to become infected with the novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2, or to expose others to it. In usage derived from the acronym for coronavirus disease, it has become common in informal speech to refer to contracting or spreading the illness. It is often used in present and past tenses (e.g., COVIDed, COVID-ing) in press and social commentary contexts.
Cabalistically is an adverb describing something written or understood in a way that relates to or resembles the language of a cabal or occult, often implying hidden or secretive meaning. It can also refer to a method of thinking or writing that is arcane, cryptic, or highly abstruse. The term carries a formal, scholarly tone.
Cabergoline is a pharmaceutical dopamine agonist used to treat hyperprolactinemia and certain movement disorders. It acts on dopamine receptors to inhibit prolactin release, often administered as a daily tablet. In clinical contexts, it’s prescribed by specialists and monitored for side effects and efficacy.
Cabernet Franc is a red wine grape variety and the name of wines made from it. Pronounced with two clear name parts, it’s often treated as a two-word proper noun in English. The term blends French linguistic roots with modern viticulture usage, and is widely used in wine regions and tasting contexts.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied red wine grape variety known for its high tannins and aging potential. The term combines two grape names, Cabernet (from French) and Sauvignon (from a secondary grape lineage), and it refers to the resulting wine produced from blending or single-varietal fermentation. It is widely grown in Bordeaux and many New World regions, often blended with Merlot or Petit Verdot to balance structure.
Cabin is a small dwelling, often wooden, used for shelter, retreat, or temporary accommodation. As a noun, it denotes a simple, compact space, typically with basic furnishings, and is common in rural or travel contexts. The term can also refer to a compartment on a vehicle, such as an airplane or ship, housing crew or passengers. Overall, it conveys intimacy and simplicity of space.
Cabinets (noun) refers to storage compartments, typically built into furniture or walls, with doors that close to enclose goods. The term covers a range of fitted cases used for keeping items organized, from kitchen cabinetry to office storage. It implies both a structural unit and an itemized, accessible space within a room or building.
Cabochon is a smooth, rounded gemstone cut without facets, often polished to a glossy dome. It typically serves as a decorative centerpiece or gemstone setting, valued for its even color and translucency rather than sparkle. The term also describes a similarly polished, convex gem shape used in jewelry designs and lapidary contexts.
Cabot is a proper noun used as a surname or place name, often linked to historical figures and geographic locations. In everyday use it refers to a family name or to things named after explorers with that surname. The pronunciation can vary by region and context, but a typical rendering is a two-syllable pattern with primary stress on the first syllable.
Cabriolet is a noun for a lightweight, horse-drawn or motorized open-top carriage, or more commonly a two-seat convertible automobile. It denotes a vehicle with a folding roof or a light, elegant carriage style, often used in fashionable or historical contexts. The term conveys a sense of mobility and leisure, and is used in both classic and modern descriptions of carriages and convertibles.
Cacao is a noun referring to the dried beans from the tropical cacao tree, and to the product made from them, notably chocolate. In everyday use it denotes the raw or minimally processed beans or powder used in confectionery. The term is often used in culinary, botanical, and allergen-focused contexts, with attention to its two primary pronunciations and regional preferences.
Cacciatore is a masculine Italian noun meaning a hunter or someone who hunts, commonly used in culinary contexts to denote hunter-style preparations. In English contexts it appears as a loanword for dishes labeled “alla cacciatora.” The term carries rustic, traditional connotations and is used in menus, recipes, and discussions of Italian cuisine. It’s pronounced with Italian stress patterns and phonology, reflecting its origin without adopting English syllable-timing.
Cache (noun): a hidden store of provisions or valuables; in computing, a temporary storage location. The term implies secrecy and quick retrieval, often used to describe a small, concealed reserve. It is pronounced with a single syllable in common use, emphasizing a crisp initial consonant and a short final vowel sound.
Cache Memory refers to a small, fast storage layer that stores frequently accessed data to speed up computer processes. It sits between the CPU and main memory, reducing latency by predicting and supplying data the processor will need next. It is commonly referred to in computing architecture and hardware contexts.
