Cat, structure used in sieges.

Catamite, old form of “ganymede.”

Catastrophe, conclusion.

Catchpole, sheriff’s officer.

Cates, dainties, provisions.

CATSO, rogue, cheat.

CAUTELOUS, crafty, artful.

Censure, criticism; sentence.

Censure, criticise; pass sentence, doom.

Ceruse, cosmetic containing white lead.

Cess, assess.

Change, “hunt—­,” follow a fresh scent.

Chapman, retail dealer.

Character, handwriting.

Charge, expense.

Charm, subdue with magic, lay a spell on, silence.

Charming, exercising magic power.

CHARTEL, challenge.

Cheap, bargain, market.

CHEAR, cheer, comfort, encouragement; food, entertainment.

Check at, aim reproof at.

CHEQUIN, gold Italian coin.

CHEVRIL, from kidskin, which is elastic and pliable.

Chiaus, Turkish envoy; used for a cheat, swindler.

CHILDERMASS day, Innocents’ Day.

Choke-bail, action which does not allow of bail.

CHRYSOPOEIA, alchemy.

CHRYSOSPERM, ways of producing gold.

CIBATION, adding fresh substances to supply the waste
of evaporation.

CIMICI, bugs.

CINOPER, cinnabar.

CIOPPINI, chopine, lady’s high shoe.

Circling boy, “a species of roarer; one who in some way drew a man into a snare, to cheat or rob him” (Nares).

Circumstance, circumlocution, beating about the bush; ceremony, everything pertaining to a certain condition; detail, particular.

CITRONISE, turn citron colour.

Cittern, kind of guitar.

City-wires, woman of fashion, who made use of wires
for hair and dress.

Civil, legal.

Clap, clack, chatter.

Clapper-Dudgeon, downright beggar.

Claps his dish, a clap, or clack, dish (dish with a movable lid) was carried by beggars and lepers to show that the vessel was empty, and to give sound of their approach.

CLARIDIANA, heroine of an old romance.

CLARISSIMO, Venetian noble.

Clem, starve.

CLICKET, latch.

CLIM O’ the CLOUGHS, etc., wordy heroes of romance.

Climate, country.

Close, secret, private; secretive.

Closeness, secrecy.

Cloth, arras, hangings.

Clout, mark shot at, bull’s eye.

Clown, countryman, clodhopper.

Coach-leaves, folding blinds.

Coals, “bear no—­,” submit to no affront.