Casteria. A storehouse in which the rudder, oars, and movable tackle of a vessel were kept.
Castor. The beaver; hence applied to beaver hats.
Castoreæ, R. Costly fabrics and dresses made of the fur of beavers.
Castra, R. (plur. of castrum, which, like casa, = the covering thing). This term was applied solely to an encampment, a fortified or intrenched camp, while the singular castrum, an augmentative of Casa (q.v.), denotes a hut, or strongly-constructed post, and consequently a fort, or fortress; but for this last the Romans preferred to use the diminutive castellum.
Castula or Caltula, R. A short petticoat worn by Roman women, held up by braces.
Casula, R. (dimin. of casa). (1) A small hut or cabin. (2) A hooded cloak, or capote.
Cat. The Egyptian name for the cat (maaou) is evidently onomatopoetic. As a symbol, this animal played a part which has hitherto not been clearly determined. Certain papyri show us the cat severing the serpent’s head from its body, a symbol which would seem to point out the cat as the destroyer of the enemies of the daylight and the sun. Again, the goddess Bast is represented with a cat’s head, the animal being sacred to her.
Cat (Med. Lat. cattus or gattus). A covering under which soldiers lay for shelter, while sapping the walls of a fortress, &c.
Cataclista, R. A close-fitting garment worn by Roman ladies, bearing a great resemblance to those which are to be seen on Egyptian statues.
Catacombs, Chr. This term, the etymology of which is uncertain, serves to denote disused stone quarries, made use of by the early Christians for their meetings, and as subterranean cemeteries. We meet with catacombs in several cities, but the most celebrated are unquestionably those of Rome. Catacombs also exist at Syracuse, Catana, Palermo, Naples, and Paris.