Barron GRE word list - C

catechism	book for religious instruction in question-and-answer form; religious instruction by question and answer; V. catechize
categorical	without exceptions; made without any doubt in mind; unqualified; absolute
cater	provide food and drink (for); cater to: try to satisfy (desires of a bad kind)
catharsis	purging or cleansing of any passage of the body; purging and weakening of strong emotions as a result of experiencing a dramatic work of art
cathartic	purgative; medicine that causes the bowels to empty; ADJ.
catholic	(of likings and interests) universal; general; broad; including many different parts; wide-ranging liberal; Ex. catholic opinions/tastes
caucus	private meeting of a group of people in a political party to select officers or determine policy; CF. the Caucus club of Boston
caulk(calk)	make watertight (by blocking up cracks as in a ship)
causal	implying a cause-and-effect relationship; N. causality
caustic	burning; corrosive; able to burn by chemical action; sarcastically biting; (of remarks) intended to hurt; bitter; harmful; OP. harmless
cauterize	burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection
cavalcade	procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages; parade; CF. cavalry
cavalier	casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight
cavil	quibble; make frivolous objections; find fault unnecessarily
cede	yield (title or territory) to (esp. after losing a war); surrender formally; N. cession
celerity	speed; rapidity
celestial	heavenly
celibate	abstaining from sexual intercourse; unmarried; N. celibacy
cemetery	place for burying the dead
censor	(in ancient Rome) overseer of morals (also taking the census); person who eliminates inappropriate matter; V.