carat

[kar-uht]

noun

1. a unit of weight in gemstones, 200 milligrams (about 3 grains of troy or avoirdupois weight). c., ct.

2. karat.

carat

/ ˈkærət /

noun

1. a measure of the weight of precious stones, esp diamonds. It was formerly defined as 3.17 grains, but the international carat is now standardized as 0.20 grams

2. Usual US spelling: karat. a measure of the proportion of gold in an alloy, expressed as the number of parts of gold in 24 parts of the alloy

Word History and Origins

Origin of carat¹

1545–55; < Medieval Latin carratus (used by alchemists) < Arabic qīrāṭ weight of 4 grains < Greek kerátion carob bean, weight of 3.333 grains, literally, little horn, equivalent to kerat- (stem of kéras ) horn + -ion diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of carat¹

C16: from Old French, from Medieval Latin carratus, from Arabic qīrāt weight of four grains, carat, from Greek keration a little horn, from keras horn

Example Sentences

His body was recovered from the Atlantic days after the disaster and among his possessions was an 18 carat gold Jules Jurgensen pocket watch that will go under the hammer on 22 November.

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The internet hummed with commentary, memes, and close analysis of carat weight.

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The diamond looked to be an 8-10 carat vintage stone, which Ms Faulker said is "quite rare" for an antique piece.

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The photo, taken earlier this month, also features her wedding band, her five carat emerald cut diamond engagement ring, and a gold ring composed of circular plaques on her little finger.

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Jewels from the original, which was set with 650 diamonds and weighed around 2,800 carats, were sold piecemeal on the black market.

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