Barron GRE word list - C

carapace	shell covering the back (of a turtle, tortoise, crab, etc.)
carat(karat)	unit of weight for precious stones; measure of the purity of gold
carcinogenic	causing cancer; N. carcinogen
cardinal	chief; most important; N: priest; cardinal number: number that shows quantity rather thatn order
cardiologist	doctor specializing in ailments of the heart
careen	lurch; sway from side to side; move with irregular swinging movement; stagger
career	rush wildly; go at full speed
carefree	free from worries; having no problems
caricature	distortion; burlesque
carillon	a set of bells (often in a tower) capable of being played
carnage	destruction of life; slaughter; killing of large numbers of people or animals
carnal	fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body
carnivorous	meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore
carousal	drunken revel; V. carouse
carping	petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; quibble
carrion	rotting flesh of a dead body; CF. vulture
cartographer	map-maker
cascade	small waterfall
caste	one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social stratification; prestige
castigation	punishment; severe criticism or disapproval
castrate	remove the sex organs (of a male animal or person)
casual	happening by chance; irregular; occasional; informal; showing or feeling little interest; Ex. casual reader/labor/remark
casualty	serious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded in an accident or battle
cataclysm	deluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and sudden event or change
catalyst	agent which brings about a chemical change while it remains unaffected and unchanged; CF. catalysis
catapult	slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult
cataract	great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a gradual loss of eyesight)
catastrophe	calamity ; disaster
catcall	shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater or a sports match); boo; V.