| cello |
a large musical instrument with four strings. The cello is in the violin family but has a deeper tone than the violin. |
| cellophane |
a thin, clear material made from cellulose. Cellophane is used to wrap food and other things. |
| cell phone |
a telephone that operates using radio signals and therefore requires no wires. A cell phone can be taken with one anywhere but may not function if it is too far away from a radio transmitter to receive signals. |
| cellular phone |
a telephone that can be taken anywhere and does not use wires. A cellular phone uses radio signals that are sent out from many different points called "cells." A cellular phone gets its signals from whatever cell is closest to it at the moment. A cellular phone is often called a "cell phone." |
| celluloid |
a plastic that burns easily. Celluloid is used for motion picture film. |
| cellulose |
the main element of plant tissue, used in making paper, cellophane, and fabrics. |
| Celsius |
relating to a temperature scale on which water freezes at zero degrees and boils at one hundred degrees; centigrade. (abbreviated: C) |
| cement |
a powder made of clay and limestone that becomes hard when water is added. Cement is used as a building material. [3 definitions] |
| cemetery |
a place where the dead are buried; graveyard. |
| censor |
an official who decides what art, movies, or books may be published. A censor works for a government, religion, or other organization, and promotes its ideas. [3 definitions] |
| census |
an official count of the people who live in a country or other area. A census is also used to collect information about these people, such as their job, age, or sex. |
| cent |
a unit of money used in many countries, including the United States and Canada. A cent is equal to a hundredth part of the standard national currency. |
| centaur |
a creature in Greek mythology that has the head, arms, and chest of a man and the trunk and legs of a horse. |
| centennial |
having to do with a one hundredth anniversary. [2 definitions] |
| center |
the point that is the same distance from all points on the outside line or surface of something; exact middle. [7 definitions] |
| center field |
in baseball, the center area of the outfield, which extends behind second base. |
| center fielder |
in baseball, the player whose position is in center field when the other team is batting and whose primary function is to defend that territory. |
| centi- |
a prefix that means "one hundredth." [2 definitions] |
| centigrade |
see "Celsius." |
| centimeter |
a unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter or 0.3937 inch. (abbreviated: cm) |
| centipede |
a small animal with a narrow body like a worm. A centipede's body is divided into many segments, each having a pair of legs. The front legs have poison claws. Centipedes are a kind of arthropod and are active at night. |