Cast (The thin creature had large ears and a bluish cast, and was nearly hairles)

[Tofu]

Hello Alan, Mister Micawber, Beeesneees, Mordant, Esl_Expert and other native English speakers,

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http://tinyurl.com/2cgv5xx
Tales of the Texas Chupacabra

In May 2004, a rancher near the Texas town of Elmendorf noticed a strange animal eating mulberries under a tree on his property. The thin creature had large ears and a bluish cast, and was nearly hairless. The rancher shot the beast, which because of its odd look was thought by many to be the chupacabra. Genetic testing later revealed it to be a domestic dog.
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What does cast mean? A plaster cast?

[Kitosdad]

A colour. It was of a bluish colour.
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Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[Tofu]

Thank you, K-dad.

The thin creature had large ears and a bluish cast...

Is cast the same thing as "cast" in "He has an unusual cast of mind"?

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http://www.oxfordadvancedlearnersdictionary.com/dictionary/cast_2
cast
[singular] (British English, formal) the way that a person or thing is or appears
- He has an unusual cast of mind.
- I disliked the arrogant cast to her mouth.
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[Beeesneees]

cast of mind - the way that his mind appears to think.
cast to her mouth/ bluish cast - the physical appearance of the mouth/creature.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Tofu]

Thank you for the response, B, but I don't understand.

[Beeesneees]

Examine the dictionary definition you have posted, and you will see that it actually indicates two uses:
-the way that a person or thing appears to be within their personality or thoughts, etc. (what they seem to be like, rather than what they look like) - the abstract use of the term;
-the appearance (way it physically looks) of a person or thing. - the physical use of the term.

(I think that perhaps the word 'appears' was confusing you.)

He has an arrogant cast of mind - uses 'cast' in an abstract sense. He has an arrogant way about him.
The creature had a bluish tinge - uses 'cast' in a concrete, physical sense. The creature's skin/fur etc. looked slightly blue in colour.
In the same way, 'the cast of the mouth' in the dictionary example is physical - the shape of the mouth.
Is that any clearer?
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Cheers m' dears!

[Tofu]

Thank you, B. Much clearer!

1. The thin creature had large ears and a bluish cast.
2. The thin creature had large ears and looked bluish.

Can I say #2 instead of #1?

[Tofu]

Could you respond to #7, please?

[Beeesneees]

I'll swear I've already responded to this. I can't have remembered to click on 'send message'.

Yes, you can say that, though it doesn't demonstrate as precise a command over the language as the first.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Tofu]

Thank you, B.