Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

ca|tarrh /kətɑː ^r / N‑UNCOUNT Catarrh is a medical condition in which a lot of mucus is produced in your nose and throat. You may get catarrh when you have a cold.

ca|tas|tro|phe /kətæ strəfi/ (catastrophes ) N‑COUNT A catastrophe is an unexpected event that causes great suffering or damage. □  From all points of view, war would be a catastrophe.

cata|stroph|ic /kæ təstrɒ f I k/

1 ADJ Something that is catastrophic involves or causes a sudden terrible disaster. □  A tidal wave caused by the earthquake hit the coast causing catastrophic damage. □  The water shortage in this country is potentially catastrophic. ●  cata|strophi|cal|ly /kæ təstrɒ f I kli/ ADV [usu ADV after v] □  The faulty left-hand engine failed catastrophically as the aircraft approached the airport.

2 ADJ If you describe something as catastrophic , you mean that it is very bad or unsuccessful. □  …another catastrophic attempt to wrest control from a rival Christian militia. □  His mother's untimely death had a catastrophic effect on him. ●  cata|strophi|cal|ly ADV [usu ADV after v] □  By the time we had to sell, prices had fallen catastrophically.

cata|ton|ic /kæ tətɒ n I k/ ADJ If you describe someone as being in a catatonic state, you mean that they are not moving or responding at all, usually as a result of illness, shock, or drugs. [MEDICAL , LITERARY ] □  …and the traumatised heroine sinks into a catatonic trance.

cat|bird seat /kæ tbɜː ^r d siːt/ PHRASE If you say that someone is in the catbird seat , you think that their situation is very good. [AM , INFORMAL ] □  If he had not been hurt, his team would be sitting in the catbird seat.

ca t bur|glar (cat burglars ) N‑COUNT A cat burglar is a thief who steals from houses or other buildings by climbing up walls and entering through windows or through the roof.

cat|call /kæ tkɔːl/ (catcalls ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Catcalls are loud noises that people make to show that they disapprove of something they are watching or listening to. □  The crowd responded with boos and catcalls.

catch ◆◆◇ /kæ tʃ/ (catches , catching , caught )

1 VERB If you catch a person or animal, you capture them after chasing them, or by using a trap, net, or other device. □ [V n] Police say they are confident of catching the gunman. □ [V n] Where did you catch the fish? □ [V -ed] I wondered if it was an animal caught in a trap.

2 VERB If you catch an object that is moving through the air, you seize it with your hands. □ [V n] I jumped up to catch a ball and fell over. ● N‑COUNT Catch is also a noun. □  He missed the catch and the match was lost.

3 VERB If you catch a part of someone's body, you take or seize it with your hand, often in order to stop them going somewhere. □ [V n] Liz caught his arm. □ [V n prep] He knelt beside her and caught her hand in both of his. □ [V n prep] Garrido caught her by the wrist.

4 VERB If one thing catches another, it hits it accidentally or manages to hit it. □ [V n] The stinging slap almost caught his face. □ [V n + with ] I may have caught him with my elbow but it was just an accident. □ [V n + on ] He caught her on the side of her head with his other fist.

5 VERB If something catches on or in an object or if an object catches something, it accidentally becomes attached to the object or stuck in it. □ [V prep] Her ankle caught on a root, and she almost lost her balance. □ [V n prep] A man caught his foot in the lawnmower.