Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

6 PHRASE If someone has done something very stupid, rude, or selfish, you can say that they take the cake or that what they have done takes the cake , to emphasize your surprise at their behaviour. [AM , EMPHASIS ] in BRIT, use take the biscuit 7 the icing on the cake → see icing

caked /ke I kt/ ADJ If something is caked with mud, blood, or dirt, it is covered with a thick dry layer of it. □ [+ with/in ] Her shoes were caked with mud. ● COMB [usu ADJ n] Caked is also a combining form. □  …herds of mud-caked cattle and sheep.

ca ke mix (cake mixes ) N‑VAR Cake mix is a powder that you mix with eggs and water or milk to make a cake. You bake the mixture in the oven.

ca ke pan (cake pans ) N‑COUNT A cake pan is a metal container that you bake a cake in. [AM ] in BRIT, usually use cake tin

ca ke tin (cake tins ) N‑COUNT A cake tin is a metal container that you bake a cake in. [BRIT ] in AM, usually use cake pan

cake|walk /ke I kwɔːk/ N‑SING If you say that something is a cakewalk , you mean that it is very easy to do or achieve. □  Fittipaldi's victory was a cakewalk.

cal /kæ l/ (cals ) N‑COUNT [usu pl, num N ] Cals are units of measurement for the energy value of food. Cal is an abbreviation for 'calorie'. □  …325 cals per serving.

cal|a|mar|i /kæ ləmɑ ːr I / N‑UNCOUNT Calamari is squid that has been prepared for eating, usually by cutting it into rings, dipping it in a mixture of flour, milk, and eggs, and frying it.

cala|mine /kæ ləma I n/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Calamine is a liquid that you can put on your skin when it is sore or itchy. □  …calamine lotion.

ca|lami|tous /kəlæ m I təs/ ADJ If you describe an event or situation as calamitous , you mean it is very unfortunate or serious. [FORMAL ] □  …the calamitous state of the country.

ca|lam|ity /kəlæ m I ti/ (calamities ) N‑VAR A calamity is an event that causes a great deal of damage, destruction, or personal distress. [FORMAL ] □  He described drugs as the greatest calamity of the age. □  It could only end in calamity.

cal|ci|fied /kæ ls I fa I d/ ADJ Body tissue that is calcified has become hard because of the presence of substances called calcium salts. □  …calcified tissue.

cal|cium /kæ lsiəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Calcium is a soft white element which is found in bones and teeth, and also in limestone, chalk, and marble.

cal|cu|lable /kæ lkjʊləb ^ə l/ ADJ Calculable amounts or consequences can be calculated.

cal|cu|late /kæ lkjʊle I t/ (calculates , calculating , calculated )

1 VERB If you calculate a number or amount, you discover it from information that you already have, by using arithmetic, mathematics, or a special machine. □ [V n] From this you can calculate the total mass in the Galaxy. □ [V that] We calculate that the average size farm in Lancaster County is 65 acres. [Also V wh]

2 VERB If you calculate the effects of something, especially a possible course of action, you think about them in order to form an opinion or decide what to do. □ [V n] I believe I am capable of calculating the political consequences accurately. □ [V that] He is calculating that the property market will be back on its feet within two years. WORD HISTORY calculate

Calculate comes from the Latin word calculare meaning 'count using small stones', from calculus , meaning 'stone'. The Romans used small stones to count with.

cal|cu|lat|ed /kæ lkjʊle I t I d/

1 ADJ If something is calculated to have a particular effect, it is specially done or arranged in order to have that effect. □  Their movements were calculated to terrify landowners into abandoning their holdings.

2 ADJ If you say that something is not calculated to have a particular effect, you mean that it is unlikely to have that effect. □  Such a statement was hardly calculated to deter future immigrants.