rough-cast

A mason applies a rough-cast to the exterior wall of a new house.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A rough plaster finish: "rough-cast" refers to a type of plaster or render applied to walls, consisting of a mixture of lime, sand, and small gravel, which creates a coarse, textured surface.
   • A preliminary sketch or plan: In a figurative sense, "rough-cast" can mean a basic, undeveloped outline or draft of something, such as a plan or design.

2. Verb:

   • To apply rough plaster: To cover a wall or surface with a coarse plaster mixture for protective or decorative purposes.
   • To sketch or outline roughly: To create a preliminary version of a plan, idea, or design without detailed refinement.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The old cottage was finished with a thick layer of rough-cast to keep out the weather. (A coarse plaster coating on the exterior wall.)
  • The architect presented only a rough-cast of the building's layout, lacking precise measurements. (A preliminary, unrefined sketch.)

• Verb:

  • The builders will rough-cast the new extension next week. (They will apply a coarse plaster finish.)
  • Before writing the full report, she rough-cast her ideas on a notepad. (She sketched out the basic concepts.)

Advanced Usage

• "in rough-cast": in a raw or unfinished state.

  • The sculpture remained in rough-cast, with no final smoothing or details. (The work was still in an early, unpolished form.)

• "to rough-cast a plan": to outline a scheme without full details.

  • We need to rough-cast our marketing strategy before the meeting. (Create a basic, preliminary version.)

Variants and Related Words

• Rough-casting (n): the process or result of applying rough plaster.
  • Rough-casting is common on farmhouses in rural areas. (The technique of using coarse plaster.)
• Rough-caster (n): a person who applies rough-cast plaster.
  • The rough-caster finished the wall in just one day. (A skilled worker specialized in this finish.)

Synonyms

• Coarse plaster: a thick, gritty mixture used for walls.
• Preliminary draft: an early, unrefined version of a document or plan.
• Outline: a basic sketch or summary.

Phrasal Verbs

• Rough out: to create a preliminary version of something.
  • He roughed out the design before adding fine details. (He made a rough-cast of the design.)

Related Idioms

• In the rough: in an unfinished or unpolished state.
  • The manuscript is still in the rough, needing many revisions. (It is a rough-cast of the final work.)