2 a long and determined attempt to achieve something
[from Spanish cruzar meaning to take up the cross]
crusader NOUN
crush crushes, crushing, crushed
VERB 1 If you crush something, you squeeze it hard until its shape is destroyed. • He crushed the empty can.
2 If you crush against someone or something, you press hard against them. • We crushed against each other in the crowded bus.
crust crusts
NOUN 1 the hard outside part of a loaf
2 a hard layer on top of something • the earth’s crust
crustacean crustaceans
Said “krus-tay-shun” NOUN an animal with a hard outer shell and several pairs of legs, which usually lives in water • Crabs, lobsters and shrimps are crustaceans.
crutch crutches
NOUN a support like a long stick that you lean on if you have injured your leg or foot • I was on crutches while my ankle healed.
cry cries, crying, cried
VERB 1 When you cry, tears come from your eyes because you are unhappy or hurt.
2 If you cry something, you shout it or say it loudly.
NOUN 3 a shout or other loud sound made with your voice
crypt crypts
NOUN an underground room beneath a church, usually used as a burial place
crystal crystals
NOUN 1 a piece of a mineral that has formed naturally into a regular shape
2 a type of transparent rock, used in jewellery
3 a type of very high quality glass
crystalline ADJECTIVE
cub cubs
NOUN 1 the young of some wild animals • a fox cub • a lion cub
2 The Cubs is an organization for young boys before they join the Scouts.
cube cubes
NOUN a solid shape with six square faces that are all the same size
cubic
ADJECTIVE 1 shaped like a cube
2 used to describe volume when you measure height, width and depth • a cubic metre
cubicle cubicles
NOUN a small enclosed area in a place such as a sports centre or a shop, where you can dress and undress
cuboid cuboids
NOUN a rectangular, three-dimensional box shape. A cuboid has six faces, all of which are rectangles.
cuckoo cuckoos
NOUN a grey bird with a two-note call. Cuckoos lay their eggs in other birds’ nests.
cucumber cucumbers
NOUN a long, thin, green vegetable that is eaten raw
cud
NOUN food that has been chewed and digested more than once by cows, sheep or other animals that have more than one stomach
cuddle cuddles, cuddling, cuddled
VERB 1 If you cuddle someone, you hold them closely in your arms as a way of showing your affection.
NOUN 2 If you give someone a cuddle, you cuddle them.
cuddly ADJECTIVE
cuff cuffs
NOUN the end part of a sleeve, especially a shirt sleeve
cul-de-sac cul-de-sacs
NOUN a road that does not lead to any other roads because one end is blocked off
[from French cul + de + sac meaning bottom of the bag]
culprit culprits
NOUN someone who has done something harmful or wrong
cult cults
NOUN 1 a small religious group, especially one that is considered strange
ADJECTIVE 2 very popular or fashionable among a particular group of people • It became a cult film.
cultivate cultivates, cultivating, cultivated
VERB When someone cultivates land, they grow crops on it.
cultivation NOUN
culture cultures
NOUN the ideas, customs and art of a particular society
cunning
ADJECTIVE A cunning person or plan achieves things in a clever way, often by deceiving people.
SYNONYMS: crafty, sly, wily
cup cups, cupping, cupped
NOUN 1 a small, round container with a handle, which you drink from
2 a large metal container with two handles, which is given as a prize
VERB 3 If you cup your hands, you put them together to make a shape like a cup.
cupboard cupboards
NOUN 1 a piece of furniture with doors and shelves
2 a very small room for storing things in • The broom is in the cupboard under the stairs.
curator curators
NOUN the person in a museum or art gallery in charge of its contents
curb curbs, curbing, curbed
VERB If you curb something, you keep it within limits. • You must curb your spending on comics.
curdle curdles, curdling, curdled
VERB When milk curdles, it turns sour.
cure cures, curing, cured
VERB 1 If a doctor cures someone of an illness, they help them get better.
NOUN 2 something that heals or helps someone to get better
VERB 3 If someone cures meat or fish, they smoke it to give it flavour and preserve it.
curfew curfews
NOUN a rule or a law stating that people must stay indoors between particular times at night
curiosity curiosities
NOUN 1 the desire to know something or about many things
2 something unusual and interesting
curious
ADJECTIVE 1 Someone who is curious wants to know more about something.
SYNONYMS: inquisitive, nosy
2 Something that is curious is unusual or difficult to understand.
SYNONYMS: strange, peculiar
curl curls, curling, curled
NOUN 1 Curls are lengths of hair shaped in tight curves and circles.
2 a curved or spiral shape • A curl of smoke rose from the chimney.
VERB 3 If something curls, it moves in a curve or spiral. • Smoke curled up the chimney.
curly ADJECTIVE
currant currants
NOUN a small, dried grape. Currants are often used in cakes and puddings.
currency currencies
NOUN A country’s currency is its coins and banknotes.
current currents
NOUN