Collins Primary Illustrated Dictionary. Collins Dictionaries

1 a steady continuous flowing movement of water or air

      NOUN 2 An electric current is a flow of electricity through a wire or circuit.

      ADJECTIVE 3 Something that is current is happening now. • current fashion trends

      curriculum curriculums or curricula

      NOUN the different courses taught at a school or university

      curry curries

      NOUN an Indian dish made with hot spices

      curse curses, cursing, cursed

      NOUN 1 an evil spell • She said the old house had a curse on it.

      VERB 2 If you curse, you swear because you are angry.

      cursor cursors

      NOUN a sign on a computer monitor that shows where the next letter or symbol is

      curtain curtains

      NOUN a hanging piece of material that can be pulled across a window

      curtsy curtsies, curtsying, curtsied

      NOUN 1 a little bobbing bow to show respect • I made a little curtsy to the Queen.

      VERB 2 the action of making a curtsy

      curve curves, curving, curved

      NOUN 1 a smooth, gradually bending line

      VERB 2 When something curves, it moves in a curve or has the shape of a curve. • The lane curved to the right.

      curved ADJECTIVE

      cushion cushions, cushioning, cushioned

      NOUN 1 a soft object that you put on a seat to make it more comfortable

      VERB 2 When something cushions something else, it reduces its effect. • The pile of leaves cushioned his fall.

      custard

      NOUN a sweet, yellow sauce made from milk and eggs

      custody

      NOUN 1 If someone has custody of a child, they have the legal right to keep it and look after it.

      PHRASE 2 Someone who is in custody is being kept in prison until they can be tried in a court.

      [from Latin custos meaning a guard]

      custodial ADJECTIVE

      custom customs

      NOUN something that people usually do • the custom of decorating the house for Christmas

      customary

      ADJECTIVE usual

      customer customers

      NOUN a person who buys things from a shop or firm

      customs

      NOUN the place at a border, airport or harbour where you declare any goods that you are bringing into the country

      cut cuts, cutting, cut

      VERB 1 If you cut something, you use a pair of scissors, a knife or another sharp tool to mark it or remove parts of it.

      2 If you cut yourself, you injure yourself with a sharp object.

      NOUN 3 a mark made with a knife or a sharp tool

      4 a reduction in something • There were lots of price cuts during the sales.

      cutlery

      NOUN knives, forks and spoons

      cycle cycles, cycling, cycled

      NOUN 1 a bicycle

      2 a series of events that is repeated again and again • the cycle of the seasons

      VERB 3 When you cycle, you ride a bicycle.

      cyclist NOUN

      cyclone cyclones

      NOUN a violent wind that blows in a spiral like a corkscrew

      cygnet cygnets

      NOUN a young swan

      cylinder cylinders

      NOUN 1 a hollow or solid shape with straight sides and equal circular faces

      See prism

      2 the part of an engine that the piston moves in

      cylindrical ADJECTIVE

      cymbal cymbals

      NOUN a circular brass plate used as a percussion instrument. Cymbals are clashed together or hit with a stick.

      See percussion

Dd

      dabble dabbles, dabbling, dabbled

      VERB If you dabble in something, you work or play at it without being seriously involved in it.

      dad or daddy dads or daddies

      NOUN INFORMAL Your dad or your daddy is your father.

      daffodil daffodils

      NOUN a plant with yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers that blooms in spring

      daft dafter, daftest

      ADJECTIVE silly and not very sensible

      dagger daggers

      NOUN a weapon like a short knife

      daily

      ADJECTIVE occurring every day

      dainty daintier, daintiest

      ADJECTIVE very delicate and pretty

      dairy dairies

      NOUN 1 a shop or company that supplies milk and milk products

      2 In New Zealand, a dairy is a small shop selling groceries.

      ADJECTIVE 3 Dairy products are foods made from milk, such as butter, cheese, cream and yogurt.

      daisy daisies

      NOUN a small, wild flower with a yellow centre and small, white petals

      [from Old English deagesege meaning day’s eye, because the daisy opens in the daytime and closes at night]

      Dalmatian Dalmatians

      NOUN a large, smooth-haired white dog with black or brown spots

      dam dams

      NOUN a barrier built across a river to hold back water

      damage damages, damaging, damaged

      VERB If you damage something, you harm or spoil it.

      damp damper, dampest

      ADJECTIVE slightly wet

      dampness NOUN

      damson damsons

      NOUN 1 a small, blue-black plum

      2 the tree that damsons grow on

      dance dances, dancing, danced

      VERB 1 When you dance, you move around in time to music.

      NOUN 2 a series of rhythmic movements that you do in time to music

      3 a social event where people dance with each other

      dandelion dandelions

      NOUN a wild plant with yellow flowers that form