cast: [31] Cast comes from Old Norse kasta ‘throw’. It has gradually been replaced since Middle English times as the ordinary word for ‘propelling with the arm’ by throw. Of the various metaphorical senses of the noun, ‘set of performers in a play’ developed in the 17th century, apparently from an earlier ‘plan, design’.
c. 1200, "to throw, fling, hurl," from a Scandinavian source akin to Old Norse kasta "to throw" (cognate with Swedish kasta, Danish kaste, North Frisian kastin), of uncertain origin. Meaning "to form in a mold" is late 15c. In the sense of "warp, turn" it replaced Old English weorpan (see warp (v.)), and itself largely has been superseded now by throw, though cast still is used of fishing lines and glances. Meaning "calculate, find by reckoning; chart (a course)" is from c. 1300.
mid-13c., "a throw, an act of throwing," from cast (v.). In early use especially of dice, hence figurative uses relating to fortune or fate. Meaning "that which is cast" is from c. 1550s. Meaning "dash or shade of color" is from c. 1600. The sense of "a throw" carried an idea of "the form the thing takes after it has been thrown," which led to widespread and varied meanings, such as "group of actors in a play" (1630s). OED finds 42 distinct noun meaning and 83 verbal ones, with many sub-definitions. Many of the figurative senses converged in a general meaning "sort, kind, style" (mid-17c.). A cast in the eye (early 14c.) preserves the older verbal sense of "warp, turn."
双语例句
1. Burke cast a cursory glance at the menu, then flapped it shut.
伯克匆匆地瞥了一眼菜单，然后啪地合上了。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The cast of characters in the scandal is bewilderingly large.
卷入丑闻的人多得让人眼花缭乱。
来自柯林斯例句
3. This show has several strengths — notably a strong cast.
这个表演有一些亮点——尤其是演员阵容特别强大。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Alexandra looked plump and awkward in her cast-off clothing.
亚历山德拉穿着那身过时的衣裳，显得臃肿笨拙。
来自柯林斯例句
5. They would have to offer cast-iron guarantees to invest in long-term projects.
