castor

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   historical: a small table container or a stand holding cruets and shakers for condiments

   The waiter placed a silver castor of oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper on the table.

2. 2
   noun

   a variant spelling of caster: a small swiveling wheel fixed beneath furniture or equipment

   One castor on the serving cart jammed against the floorboard.

3. 3
   noun

   historical: a hat or heavy cloth made from beaver fur or a similar material

   He brushed the rain from his castor before entering the inn.

The beaver-fur senses came through French from Latin castor and Greek kastor, 'beaver.' The table-container and wheel senses are variant spellings of caster, from cast + -er, and have a separate history. Dickens's castors are the condiment vessels or their stand.

Topics