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 spellingkarat 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

Clean Origin diamonds are also graded on the 4 Cs of cut, color, clarity, and carat.

From Washington Blade

Millions of carats in diamonds have been exported from Namibia since 1908.

From Time

The magnificent $6000 ring glittered with a two-carat diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds, all set in silver.

From The Daily Beast

This tea caddy is rather splendid Much of the pottery is gilded in 22 carat gold leaf.

From The Daily Beast

The largest D color flawless diamond ever auctioned, the 101.73 carat jewel is expected to fetch at least $20 million.

From The Daily Beast

Thus 18 carat gold has one-fourth of alloy, and so on with lower qualities down to 12, which is in reality only gold by courtesy.

From Project Gutenberg

The gold coin of the realm is 22 carat; that is, it contains one-twelfth of alloy to harden it to stand wear and tear.

From Project Gutenberg

When first offered for sale, the price was fourpence a carat; now it is from fifteen to twenty shillings.

From Project Gutenberg

A little tin god has a pleasant time of it, no doubt, until the coming of the eighteen carat gold idol.

From Project Gutenberg

So he tied above their best reach three strands of “carat” cord to the main rope.

From Project Gutenberg