Etymology dictionary

card (v.1) — carousel (n.)

card (v.1)

1540s, "to play cards" (now obsolete), from card (n.1). From 1925 as "to write (something) on a card for filing." Meaning "require (someone) to show an identification card" is from 1970s. Related: Carded; carding.

carding (n.)

"wool-dressing," late 15c., verbal noun from card (v.2).

cards (n.)

"a game played with cards," mid-15c., from plural of card (n.1).

cardamom (n.)

"seed-capsule of a plant native to southern India and Ceylon," used in medicine and cookery, 1550s, from French cardamome, from Latin cardamomum, from Greek kardamomon, from kardamon "cress" (which is of unknown origin) + amomon "spice plant." The word was in English from late 14c. in Latin form.

cardboard (n.)

"stiff kind of paper," 1839, from card (n.1) + board (n.1). Figurative sense is from 1893. An earlier word for the same stuff was card paper (1777).

card-carrying (adj.)

"confirmed, thoroughgoing," 1947, originally of labor union memberships, from card (n.1) + present participle of carry (v.). Used frequently during Cold War in U.S. in reference to official membership in the communist party.

card-catalogue (n.)

"catalogue of a library in which entries are made on separate cards arranged in order in boxes or drawers," 1853, in the regulations of the Boston public library, from card (n.1) + catalogue (n.).

carder (n.)

"one who cards wool, etc., for spinning," mid-15c. (mid-14c. as a surname), agent noun from card (v.2).

cardiac (adj.)

"of or pertaining to the heart," c. 1600, from French cardiaque (14c.) or directly from Latin cardiacus, from Greek kardiakos "pertaining to the heart," from kardia "heart" (from PIE root *kerd- "heart"). Cardiac arrest is attested from 1950.

Greek kardia also could mean "stomach" and Latin cardiacus "pertaining to the stomach." This terminology continues somewhat in modern medicine. Confusion of heart and nearby digestive organs also is reflected in Breton kalon "heart," from Old French cauldun "bowels," and English heartburn for "indigestion."

cardigan (n.)

"close-fitting knitted woolen jacket or waistcoat," 1868, from James Thomas Brudenell (1797-1868), 7th Earl of Cardigan, English general distinguished in the Crimean War, who set the style, in one account supposedly wearing such a jacket while leading the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava (1854). The place name is an Englishing of Welsh Ceredigion, literally "Ceredig's land." Ceredig lived in the 5th century.

cardinal (adj.)

"chief, pivotal," early 14c., from Latin cardinalis "principal, chief, essential," a figurative use, literally "pertaining to a hinge," from cardo (genitive cardinis) "that on which something turns or depends; pole of the sky," originally "door hinge," which is of unknown origin. Related: Cardinally.

The cardinal numbers (1590s) are "one, two, three," etc. as opposed to ordinal numbers "first, second, third," etc.; they are so called because they are the principal numbers and the ordinals depend on them.

The cardinal points (1540s) are north, south, east, west. The cardinal sins were so called from c. 1600. The cardinal virtues (early 14c.) were divided into natural (justice, prudence, temperance, fortitude) and theological (faith, hope, charity). The natural ones were the original classical ones, which were amended by Christians. But typically in Middle English only the first four were counted as the cardinal virtues:

By analogy of this, and cardinal winds (late 14c.), cardinal signs (four zodiacal signs marking the equinoxes and the solstices, late 14c.), etc., the adjective in Middle English acquired an association with the number four.

cardinal (n.)

early 12c., "one of the ecclesiastical princes who constitute the sacred college," from Medieval Latin cardinalis, originally as a noun "one of the presbyters of the chief (cardinal) churches of Rome," short for cardinalis ecclesiae Romanae or episcopus cardinalis, from Latin cardinalis (adj.) "principal, chief, essential" (see cardinal (adj.)).

The North American songbird (Cardinalis virginianus) is attested from 1670s, so named for its fine red color, resembling the cardinals in their red robes.

cardinality (n.)

1520s, "condition of being a cardinal," from cardinal (n.) + -ity. Mathematical sense is from 1935 (see cardinal (adj.)).

cardinal number (n.)

1590s, "one, two, three," etc. as opposed to ordinal numbers "first, second, third," etc.; so called because they are the principal numbers and the ordinals depend on them (see cardinal (adj.)).

cardio-

before vowels cardi-, word-forming element meaning "pertaining to the heart," from Latinized form of Greek kardia "heart," from PIE root *kerd- "heart."

cardiogram (n.)

"a tracing of the beating of the heart made with a cardiograph," 1876, from cardio- + -gram.

cardiograph (n.)

"apparatus for recording by tracing the beating of the heart," 1867, from cardio- + -graph "something written."

cardiology (n.)

"the study of the heart," 1847, from cardio- + -logy. Cardiologist attested from 1885.

cardiopulmonary (adj.)

also cardio-pulmonary, "pertaining to both the heart and the lungs," 1879, from cardio- + pulmonary.

cardiovascular (adj.)

also cardio-vascular, "pertaining to both the heart and the blood vessels," 1870, from cardio- + vascular. Cardiovascular system is recorded by 1918.

cardoon (n.)

"artichoke-like plant of the Mediterranean lands," 1610s, from French cardon, from Provençal cardon, properly "thistle," from Late Latin cardonem (nominative cardo) "thistle," related to Latin carduus "thistle, artichoke," which is perhaps from PIE root *kars- "to scrape, scratch" (see harsh (adj.)).

card-table (n.)

"table for playing card games," 1713, from card (n.1) + table (n.).

care (n.)

Old English caru, cearu "sorrow, anxiety, grief," also "burdens of mind; serious mental attention," in late Old English also "concern, anxiety caused by apprehension of evil or the weight of many burdens," from Proto-Germanic *karō "lament; grief, care" (source also of Old Saxon kara "sorrow;" Old High German chara "wail, lament;" Gothic kara "sorrow, trouble, care;" German Karfreitag "Good Friday;" see care (v.)).

The meaning "charge, oversight, attention or heed with a view to safety or protection" is attested from c. 1400; this is the sense in care of in addressing (1840). The meaning "object or matter of concern" is from 1580s. To take care of "take in hand, do" is from 1580s; take care "be careful" also is from 1580s.

care (v.)

Old English carian, cearian "be anxious or solicitous; grieve; feel concern or interest," from Proto-Germanic *karo- "lament," hence "grief, care" (source also of Old Saxon karon "to lament, to care, to sorrow, complain," Old High German charon "complain, lament," Gothic karon "be anxious"), said to be from PIE root *gar- "cry out, call, scream" (source also of Irish gairm "shout, cry, call;" see garrulous).

If so, the prehistoric sense development is from "cry" to "lamentation" to "grief." A different sense evolution is represented in related Dutch karig "scanty, frugal," German karg "stingy, scanty." It is not considered to be related to Latin cura. Positive senses, such as "have an inclination" (1550s); "have fondness for" (1520s) seem to have developed later as mirrors to the earlier negative ones.

To not care as a negative dismissal is attested from mid-13c. Phrase couldn't care less is from 1946; could care less in the same sense (with an understood negative) is from 1955. Care also has figured since 1580s in many "similies of indifference" in the form don't care a _____, with the blank filled by fig, pin, button, cent, straw, rush, point, farthing, snap, etc., etc. Related: Cared; caring.

careful (adj.)

Old English cearful "mournful, sad," also "full of care or woe; anxious; full of concern" (for someone or something), thus "applying attention, painstaking, circumspect" (late Old English), the main modern sense; from care (n.) + -ful. In Middle English also "miserable, unfortunate," of persons or things; "causing fear, frightening, terrible." Careful-bed (early 14c.) was "sick-bed;" careful-day (c. 1200) was "judgment day."

caring (n.)

"act or state of showing concern for others," 1550s, verbal noun from care (v.).

caring (adj.)

"compassionate, attentive to the weak, sick, etc.," 1966, present-participle adjective from care (v.). Related: Caringly; caringness.

careen (v.)

1590s, "turn a ship on its side" (with the keel exposed, for inspection, repairs, etc.), from French cariner, literally "expose a ship's keel," from French carene "keel" (16c.), from Italian (Genoese dialect) carena, from Latin carina "keel of a ship," also (and perhaps originally) "nutshell," possibly from PIE root *kar- "hard."

The intransitive sense of "lean, tilt" is from 1763 of ships; in general use by 1883. In the sense of "rush headlong," it is confused with career (v.) at least since 1923. [To career is to move rapidly; to careen is to lurch from side to side, often while moving rapidly.] Earlier figurative uses of careen were "to be laid up; to rest." Related: Careened; careening.

career (n.)

1530s, "a running (usually at full speed), a course" (especially of the sun, etc., across the sky), from French carriere "road, racecourse" (16c.), from Old Provençal or Italian carriera, from Vulgar Latin *(via) cararia "carriage (road), track for wheeled vehicles," from Latin carrus "chariot" (see car). The sense of "general course of action or movement" is from 1590s, hence "course of one's public or professional life" (1803).

career (v.)

1590s, "to charge at a tournament," from career (n.). The meaning "move rapidly, run at full speed" (1640s) is from the image of a horse "passing a career" on the jousting field, etc. Related: Careered; careering.

careerist (n.)

"person intent on the furtherance of his working or professional career," 1906, from career (n.) + -ist. Related: Careerism.

care-free (adj.)

also carefree, "free from cares," 1795, from care (n.) + free (adj.). In Old English and Middle English this idea was expressed by careless.

carefully (adv.)

Old English carfullice "sorrowfully;" see careful + -ly (2). The meaning "heedfully" is in late Old English.

caregiver (n.)

also care-giver, "one who looks after the physical needs at home of the sick, aged, disabled, etc.," by 1974, from care (n.) + giver. It has, in many senses, the same meaning as caretaker, which ought to be its antonym.

careless (adj.)

Old English carleas "free from anxiety; unconcerned," from care (n.) + -less; a compound probably from Proto-Germanic (compare Old Norse kærulauss "quit, free"). The original recorded senses was extinct by mid-17c. (now in care-free); the main modern meaning "not paying attention, inattentive, not taking due care" is attested by 1560s (in carelessly). The meaning "done or said without care, unconsidered" is from 1650s.

carelessness (n.)

Old English carleasnes "freedom from anxiety;" see careless + -ness. The original sense is obsolete. The meaning "heedlessness, negligence" (1560s) probably is a fresh formation.

care package (n.)

1945, originally CARE package, supplies sent out by "Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe," established 1945 by U.S. private charities to coordinate delivery of aid packages to displaced persons in Europe after World War II and obviously named for the sake of the acronym. The name was repackaged late 1940s to "Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere," to reflect its expanded mission.

caress (n.)

1640s, "a show of endearment, display of regard," from French caresse (16c.), a back-formation from caresser or else from Italian carezza "endearment," from caro "dear," from Latin carus "dear, costly, beloved" (from PIE root *ka- "to like, desire"). The meaning "affectionate stroke" is attested in English from 1650s. Related to charity, cherish.

caress (v.)

"bestow caresses upon, stroke or pat affectionately;" also "treat with fondness or kindness," 1650s, from French caresser, from Italian carezzare "to cherish," from carezza "endearment" (see caress (n.)). Related: Caressed; caressing.

caret (n.)

"mark in correcting printers' proofs to show where something is to be inserted," 1680s, from Latin caret "there is lacking," third person singular indicative of carere "to lack, to want" (from suffixed form of PIE root *kes- "to cut").

caretaker (n.)

also care-taker, "one who takes care of something," 1769, from care (n.) + agent noun of take (v.). The back-formed verb caretake is attested by 1890.

care-worm (n.)

a word listed in 2nd print edition OED, whose editors found it, once, in the William Phillip's loose and erratic 1598 translation of John Huyghen van Linschoten's account of his voyage to the East Indies, and marked it "? error for EAREWORM." But care-worm could be a useful word.

care-worn (adj.)

also careworn, "oppressed or burdened with cares," 1828, from care (n.) + worn.

carfax (n.)

"place where four or more streets meet," see carrefour.

cargo (n.)

1650s, "freight loaded on a ship," from Spanish cargo "burden," from cargar "to load, impose taxes," from Late Latin carricare "to load a wagon or cart," from Latin carrus "wagon" (see car).

The French cognate yielded English charge (n.); also compare cark. South Pacific cargo cult is from 1949. Cargo pants is attested from 1977, "loose-fitting casual pants with large pockets on the thighs;" they were named for the cargo pocket (by 1944), originally on military pants, so called for its carrying capacity.

caries (n.)

1630s, "destructive disease of bone," from Latin caries "rottenness, decay," from Proto-Italic *kas-, usually said to be from PIE root *kere- "to injure, break apart" (source also of Greek ker "death, destruction," Old Irish krin "withered, faded"). Related: Carious. But de Vaan writes that "semantically, caries may just as well belong to careocared 'to lack' as 'defect, state of defectiveness' ...." Of teeth by 1826.

Caria

ancient region in southwestern Asia Minor. Related: Carian. The Carians were considered by themselves and the Greeks to be of a different origin than their neighbors.

Carib (n.)

"one of a native people of Central America and northern South America and formerly of the Caribbean," 1550s, from Spanish Caribe, from Arawakan (West Indies) kalingo, karina, or kalino, said to mean "brave ones" or else "strong men." As an adjective by 1881.

caribou (n.)

also cariboo, "American reindeer," 1660s, from Canadian French caribou, from Micmac (Algonquian) kaleboo or a related Algonquian name, literally "pawer, scratcher," from its kicking snow aside to feed on moss and grass.

Caribbean (adj.)

"of or pertaining to the Caribs," also "of the sea between the West Indies and the South American mainland," by 1750s, from Carib, indigenous people's name for themselves, + -ean.

caricature (v.)

"make or draw a caricature of," 1749, from caricature (n.). Related: Caricatured; caricaturing.

caricature (n.)

"grotesque or ludicrous representation of persons or things by an absurd exaggeration of what is characteristic," 1748 (figurative), 1750 (literal), from French caricature (18c.), from Italian caricatura "satirical picture; an exaggeration," literally "an overloading," from caricare "to load; exaggerate," from Vulgar Latin *carricare "to load a wagon or cart," from Latin carrus "two-wheeled wagon" (see car). The Italian form had been used in English from 1680s and was common 18c.

caricaturist (n.)

"one who draws or writes caricatures," 1754, from caricature (n.) + -ist.

carillon (n.)

"set of tuned, stationary bells sounded by means of a keyboard or other machinery," 1775, from French carillon, which, according to French sources, is from Old French carignon "set of four bells," an alteration of quarregon, from Vulgar Latin *quadrinionem, from Latin quaternionem "set of four," from quater "four times" (from PIE *kwetrus, from root *kwetwer- "four").

Carinthia

region of southern Austria, named for the people who once lived there, whose own name might reflect the Alpine landscape and be from a Pre-Indo-European *karra "rock." Related: Carinthian.

carious (adj.)

"decayed" (of tooth or bone), 1670s, from French carieux (16c.), from Latin cariosus "full of decay," from caries "rottenness, decay" (see caries). The extended sense of "having a corroded appearance" is by 1832.

caritas (n.)

Latin, "charity" (see charity).

cark (v.)

"to be weighed down or oppresssed by cares or worries, be concerned about" (archaic), early 12c., a figurative use, via Anglo-French from Old North French carkier "to load, burden," from Late Latin carcare "to load a wagon or cart," from Latin carrus "wagon" (see car). Compare Old North French carguer "charger," corresponding to Old French chargier. The literal sense in English, "to load, put a burden on," is from c. 1300. Related: Carked; carking.

Also as a noun in Middle English and after, "charge, responsibility; anxiety, worry; burden on the mind or spirit," (c. 1300), from Anglo-French karke, from Old North French form of Old French carche, variant of charge "load, burden, imposition" (source of charge (n.)).

Carl

masc. proper name, from continental sources such as Danish Carl, Middle High German Karl, from the common noun meaning "man, husband" (see carl). The Carlists in 19c. Spain were partisans of Don Carlos de Borbon.

carl (n.)

c. 1300, "bondsman; common man, man of low birth," from Old Norse karl "man" (as opposed to "woman"), "male, freeman," from Proto-Germanic *karlon- (source also of Dutch karel "a fellow," Old High German karl "a man, husband"). The same Proto-Germanic source produced Old English ceorl "man of low degree" (see churl) and the masc. proper name Carl and, via French and Latin, Charles.

Carla

fem. proper name, fem. of Carl.

Carlisle

city in Cumberland, western England, c. 100, Carleol, with Celtic cair "fortified town" + the earlier name, Lugovalio (4c.), from a Celtic proper name *Luguvalos.

Carlos

masc. proper name, Spanish form of the Germanic masculine proper name (Karl) that is represented in Italian by Carlo, in French by Charles.

Carlovingian (adj.)

"Carolingian," 1781, from French Carlovingien, an alteration of Carolingien (see Carolingian) on model of Mérovingien (see Merovingian).

Carmel

mountain in northern Israel, from Latin Carmel, from Greek Karmel, from Hebrew karmel "garden, fertile field."

Carmelite (n.)

member of an order of mendicant friars (also White Friars) founded 12c. by Berthold of Calabria on Mount Carmel overlooking the bay of Acre in what is now northwestern Israel; mid-15c., from Medieval Latin Carmelites. The order as re-established in 16c. Spain by St. Theresa had both monks and nuns.

Carmen (n.)

French opera by Georges Bizet (1838-1875), premiered in Paris March 3, 1875. As a proper name, it can represent (especially in Italian and Spanish) a diminutive of Carmel/Carmelo or Latin carmen "song, poem, incantation, oracle," from canere "to sing" (from PIE root *kan- "to sing").

carmine (n.)

1712, "pure red dyestuff obtained from cochineal," from French carmin (12c.), from Medieval Latin carminium, from Arabic qirmiz "crimson" (see kermes, also compare crimson (n.)). The form was influenced in Latin by minium "red lead, cinnabar," a word said to be of Iberian origin. As an adjective from 1737; as a color name from 1799. Related: Carminic.

carminative (adj.)

"expelling or having the quality of expelling flatulence," early 15c., from Latin carminativus, from past-participle stem of carminare "to card," from carmen, genitive carminis, "a card for wool or flax," which is related to carrere "to card" (see card (v.2)).

As a noun from 1670s, "a carminative substance or medicament."

Carnaby Street (n.)

street in Soho, London (Westminster), in mid-1960s lined with fashionable boutiques and clothing shops, hence used figuratively from 1964 for "(contemporary) English stylishness." It was named for Karnaby House, built 1683, from a surname or transferred from Carnaby in Yorkshire, which is from a Scandinavian personal name + -by (see by).

carnage (n.)

"great destruction by bloody violence, massacre," c. 1600, from French carnage (16c.), from Old Italian carnaggio "slaughter, murder," from Medieval Latin carnaticum "flesh," from Latin carnaticum "slaughter of animals," from carnem (nominative caro) "flesh," originally "a piece of flesh" (from PIE root *sker- (1) "to cut"). In English it has been always used more often of the slaughter of men than beasts. Southey (1795) tried to make a verb of it.

carnally (adv.)

late 15c., "sexually, according to the flesh;" 1530s, "corporeally, not spiritually;" from carnal + -ly (2).

carnal (adj.)

c. 1400, "physical, human, mortal," from Old French carnal and directly from Latin carnalis "fleshly, of the flesh," from carnis "of the flesh," genitive of caro "flesh, meat," probably originally "a piece of flesh" (from PIE root *sker- (1) "to cut").

The meaning "sensual, pertaining to the passions and appetites of the flesh" is from early 15c.; that of "worldly, sinful, not spiritual" is from mid-15c. Carnal knowledge "sexual intercourse" is attested from early 15c. and was in legal use by 1680s. Medieval Latin carnalis meant "natural, of the same blood," a sense sometimes found in Middle English carnal.

carnality (n.)

early 15c., "sensuality, fleshly lusts or desires," from Late Latin carnalitas, from Latin carnalis "of the flesh" (see carnal). The meaning "state of being flesh, fleshliness" is from mid-15c.

carnalize (v.)

"despiritualize, sensualize," 1680s, from carnal + -ize. Related: Carnalized; carnalizing.

carnalite (n.)

"worldly minded man, one addicted to fleshly practices," 1570s, from carnal + -ite (1). Carnalist (1620s) also was used.

carnation (n.)

common name of the Dianthus Caryophyllus or "pink," a herbaceous perennial flowering plant; 1530s, a word of uncertain origin. The early forms are confused; perhaps (on evidence of spellings) it is a corruption of coronation, from the flower's being used in chaplets or from the toothed crown-like look of the petals.

Or it might be called for its pinkness and derive from French carnation "person's color or complexion" (15c.), which probably is from Italian dialectal carnagione "flesh color," from Late Latin carnationem (nominative carnatio) "fleshiness," from Latin caro "flesh" (originally "a piece of flesh," from PIE root *sker- (1) "to cut"). OED points out that not all the flowers are this color.

This French carnation had been borrowed separately into English as "color of human flesh" (1530s) and as an adjective meaning "flesh-colored" (1560s; the earliest use of the word in English was to mean "the incarnation of Christ," mid-14c.). It also was a term in painting for "representation of the flesh, nude or undraped parts of a figure" (1704).

The flowering plant is native to southern Europe but was widely cultivated from ancient times for its fragrance and beauty, and was abundant in Normandy.

carnelian (n.)

"red variety of chalcedony," variant of cornelian, altered by influence of Latin carnem "flesh" (see carnation) because of its color.

carneous (adj.)

1570s, "fleshy;" 1670s, "flesh-colored," from Latin carneus "of flesh," from carn-, stem of caro "flesh" (originally "a piece of flesh," from PIE root *sker- (1) "to cut").

carny (n.)

1931, U.S. slang, short for carnival worker (see carnival).

carnival (n.)

1540s, "time of merrymaking before Lent," from French carnaval, from Italian carnevale "Shrove Tuesday," from older Italian forms such as Milanese *carnelevale, Old Pisan carnelevare "to remove meat," literally "raising flesh," from Latin caro "flesh" (originally "a piece of flesh," from PIE root *sker- (1) "to cut") + levare "lighten, raise, remove" (from PIE root *legwh- "not heavy, having little weight").

Folk etymology has it from Medieval Latin carne vale " 'flesh, farewell!' " Attested from 1590s in the figurative sense of "feasting or revelry in general." The meaning "a circus or amusement fair" is attested by 1926 in American English.

carnivorous (adj.)

"eating or feeding on flesh," 1640s, from Latin carnivorus "flesh-eating, feeding on flesh," from caro (genitive carnis) "flesh" (originally "a piece of flesh," from PIE root *sker- (1) "to cut") + vorare "to devour" (from PIE root *gwora- "food, devouring"). Related: Carnivorously; carnivorousness; carnivoracity.

carnivore (n.)

"flesh-eating animal," 1839, from French carnivore (16c.), from Latin carnivorus "flesh-eating" (see carnivorous).

Carnivora (n.)

order of meat-eating mammals, 1830, from Latin (animalia) carnivora "flesh-eating (animals)," neuter plural of carnivorus "flesh-eating" (see carnivorous). Applied as the scientific name of a large order of flesh-eating mammals by French naturalist Georges Léopole Chrétien Frédéric Dagobert, Baron Cuvier (1769-1832). Related: Carnivoral.

carob (n.)

common English name of a leguminous evergreen tree native to the eastern Mediterranean lands, 1540s, from French carobe, ultimately from Arabic (Semitic) kharrub "locust bean pod" (also in Persian as khirnub), perhaps from Assyrian kharubu or Aramaic kharubha "carob tree, carob." Related to Hebrew harubh.

carol (n.)

c. 1300, "joyful song," also a kind of dance in a ring, from Old French carole "kind of dance in a ring, round dance accompanied by singers," a word of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Medieval Latin choraula "a dance to the flute," from Latin choraules "flute-player," from Greek khoraulēs "flute player who accompanies the choral dance," from khoros "chorus" (see chorus) + aulein "to play the flute," from aulos "reed instrument" (see alveolus). OED writes that "a Celtic origin is out of the question." The meaning "Christmas hymn of joy" is attested from c. 1500.

Carol

masc. proper name, from Medieval Latin Carolus, which is of Germanic origin, from the common noun meaning "man, husband" (see carl). As a fem. proper name, an abbreviation of Caroline. The masc. name never has been popular in U.S.; the fem. form was common after c. 1900 and was a top-10 name for U.S. girls born 1936-1950.

carol (v.)

c. 1300, "to dance in a ring," from Old French caroler, from carole (see carol (n.)). As "to sing with joy or festivity" from late 14c. As "go around from place to place in a group singing Christmas carols" it is from 1879, said to be a Victorian revival of an older English custom. Related: Caroled; caroling; caroler.

caroling (n.)

c. 1300, "a round dance accompanied by singing," verbal noun from carol (v.). As "a going from place to place in a group singing Christmas carols" by 1879.

Caroline

fem. proper name, from French, from Italian Carolina, originally a fem. adjective from Medieval Latin Carolus "Charles" (see Charles).

caroline (adj.)

1650s, "of or pertaining to a Charles," from French, from Medieval Latin Carolus "Charles" (a name from the common Germanic noun meaning "man, husband;" see carl). Especially of Charlemagne, or, in English history, Charles I and Charles II.

Carolina

1663, North American colony named for King Charles II (the Latin form of the male proper name is Carolus). Earlier French colonists had called the region Caroline (1564) in honor of Charles IX, King of France, and a 1629 grant here by Charles I of England was named Carolana.

The name at first referred to modern South Carolina, but the tract originally included North Carolina and Georgia; North Carolina first was used 1691, in reference to settlements made from Virginia. The official division into north and south dates from 1710. It has been used generically in forming species names in botany and zoology from 1734. Related: Carolinian.

Carolingian (adj.)

1881, "belonging to the Frankish royal and imperial dynasty founded by Charles Martel," from Medieval Latin Carolus "Charles" (a name from the common Germanic noun meaning "man, husband;" see carl). Also compare Carlovingian.

carom (v.)

1860, "to strike or collide with a thing and then rebound or glance off," from carom (n.). Related: Caromed; caroming.

carom (n.)

1779, "the hitting of two or three balls in succession by the cue ball at a single stroke," a shortening and alteration of carambole (1775), from French carambole "the red ball in billiards," from Spanish carombola "the red ball in billiards," perhaps originally "fruit of the tropical Asian carambola tree," which is supposed to resemble a red billiard ball (but this is the star-fruit); from Marathi (southern Indian) karambal:

carotene (n.)

orange-colored hydrocarbon found in carrots and other plants, 1861, from German carotin, coined 1831 by German chemist H.W.F. Wackenroder (1789-1854) from Latin carota "carrot" (see carrot) + German form of chemical suffix -ine (2), denoting a hydrocarbon.

carotenoid (n.)

"carotene-like pigment found in living things," 1913, from German carotinoïde (1911), from carotin (see carotene) + -oid.

carotid (adj.)

1540s, "pertaining to the two great arteries of the neck," from Greek karotidēs "great arteries of the neck," plural of karotis, from karoun "plunge into sleep or stupor," because compression of these arteries was believed to cause unconsciousness (Galen). But if this is folk etymology, the Greek word could be from kara "head," related to kranion "skull, upper part of the head" (from PIE root *ker- (1) "horn; head").

carouse (v.)

"to drink freely and revel noisily," 1550s, from French carousser "drink, quaff, swill," from German gar aus "quite out," from gar austrinken; trink garaus "to drink up entirely." Kluge says it was originally the German exclamation accompanying closing time (Polizeistunde). From this it was generalized to "the end," especially in the phrase Den Garaus machen. The first element is from Old High German garo "ready, prepared, complete" (see gear (n.)); for the second element, see out (adv.). Frequently also as an adverb in early English usage (to drink carouse).

carousal (n.)

"noisy drinking bout," 1735, from carouse (v.) + -al (2). The earlier noun was simply carouse "a drinking bout" (1550s).

carousel (n.)

1640s, "tilting match, playful tournament of knights in chariots or on horseback," from French carrousel "a tilting match," from Italian carusiello, possibly from carro "chariot," from Latin carrus "two-wheeled wagon" (see car). The modern meaning "merry-go-round" as an amusement ride is by 1895, though there are suggestions of such a thing earlier: