Words that start with C

Photo by vxla

Cis forCastanets

Castanets are small percussion instruments that you hold in your hand. They are shaped like a pair of cockle shells, with a slightly hollowed out center. You hold them in your hand and close them quickly to make a sharp clacking noise. Castanets are usually played in pairs, one in each hand.

Music

Photo by Jim Linwood

Cis forCastle

A castle is a large building usually made out of stone. Castles were designed to be very defensive, so the people living inside would be safe from attack. They were usually built as homes for noble families or royal families. Castle design changed over the centuries to keep up with improvements in equipment designed for breaking into castles. After the invention of gunpowder and cannons, castles were no longer so effective against attacks. The building of new castles gradually stopped, and more recent castles are more decorative than defensive. The most recent castles are either replica castles or just very large mansions with some castle features added to them for decoration. The centremost tower in a castle is called a keep, the most secure part of the castle. The ditch around the castle which may or may not be filled with water is called a moat. The top edges of the castle walls are covered by battlements, which were used for archers to hide behind.

Structures

Photo by Steve Roetz

Cis forCat

Scientific name: felis catus

A cat is a small, meat-eating animal that is often kept as a pet. Cats are good at hunting mice. Most dogs don't like cats, and are often seen chasing them up trees. Cats spend over half of their time asleep. A baby cat is called a kitten.

Cats, Pets

Photo by kansasphoto

Cis forCatamaran

A catamaran is a type of boat that has two hulls. The hulls are connected somehow, ranging from a simple connection with thin rods to the bulk of the boat forming the bridge. Catamarans may be either sail or motor powered, and can be any size from tiny sailboats to quite large ships.

Nautical

Photo by Kelly Taylor

Cis forCatapult

A catapult is a device that can fling a projectile, such as a stone, a long way without using explosives. Catapults are large, and are usually moved arond on a cart with wheels. There are various designs of catapult, powered by tensioned rope, sinew or gravity, in the case of the trebuchet. Catapults were used during sieges to break down the defensive walls of castles or used to throw things into castles. The catapult in the picture is a "turn bucket" style, using gravity and a counterweight to fling a projectile.

Weapons

Photo by Luis Argerich

Cis forCatch

Video: view

You catch something when it is flying through the air towards you and you grab it with your hands. Dogs can catch things like balls and frisbees in their mouths.

Motion, Verbs

Photo by Mark Robinson

Cis forCaterpillar

Video: view

Caterpillars are the larval stage of moths and butterflies. They hatch from eggs and grow very quickly, eating large quantities of leaves as they grow. When they are big enough they spin themselves into a cocoon and go to sleep. When they wake up, they have turned into a butterfly or moth.

Insects

Photo by pelican

Cis forCatfish

Scientific name: order: siluriformes

Catfish are named because they look like they have cat whiskers. They live at the bottom of rivers and lakes, and sometimes in coastal waters too. Most catfish eat dead matter they find at the bottom of waterways. Catfish range in size from very tiny to 10 feet long.

Fish

Photo by Stephen Hanafin

Cis forCatflap

A cat flap is a small door, often cut through a larger door, that is just the right size for a cat to go through. The flap part of the cat flap is a small door, hinged at the top, so the cat can go through but wind and insects can't.

Openings

Photo by Sarah Cartwright

Cis forCathedral

A cathedral is a very large and elaborate church.

Places, Religion