Pronunciation: [kˈasts] (IPA) 
Casts can be spelled with either a long "a" sound or a short "a" sound, depending on its usage. As a verb meaning to throw or project, it is pronounced with a short "a", transcribed as /kæsts/. As a noun referring to a medical device used to immobilize a broken bone, it is pronounced with a long "a", transcribed as /kɑːsts/. It is important to pay attention to the context in which casts is used to ensure proper pronunciation and spelling.
Casts is a noun that refers to the act or process of throwing something forcefully, especially with the aim of covering a distance or hitting a target. It typically involves using one's arm, hand, or body to propel an object, such as a stone, a fishing line, a ball, or a fishing net. The term is often associated with activities like fishing, hunting, sports, or entertainment.
In fishing, casts involve the action of propelling a fishing line and bait into the water to catch fish. Different casting techniques, such as fly casting or spin casting, are used depending on the type of fishing being done.
In sports, casts typically refer to throwing or passing a ball, either by hand or with a specific technique unique to the sport. Examples include the long cast in track and field events like javelin or discus throw, or a quarterback's pass in American football.
Casts can also be used metaphorically to describe metaphorical throwing or projecting. For instance, an actor's cast may refer to the group of individuals chosen to perform in a play or film. It can also refer to the process of making a mold or impression of a body part, often performed in medical situations, to immobilize and facilitate the healing of a broken bone or injured limb.
Overall, casts encompass a wide range of activities and contexts involving the forceful projection of objects or the immobilization of body parts.
The word "casts" originates from Middle English, derived from the Old Norse word "kasta". In Old Norse, "kasta" meant "to throw". The term later evolved in Middle English to refer to the act of throwing or projecting something. Over time, "casts" came to be used specifically to indicate a throw or the act of throwing items such as dice, nets, or fishing lines. Today, "casts" can also be used in the sense of assigning actors to roles in a play or movie, thus reflecting the original idea of projecting or throwing someone into a particular part.
