I. ˈkär, ˈkȧ(r noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English carre, from Anglo-French, from Latin carra, plural of carrum, alteration of carrus, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish & Middle Welsh carr vehicle, Breton karr — more at current
1. : a vehicle moving on wheels:
a. archaic : carriage , cart , wagon
b. : a chariot of war or of triumph : a vehicle of splendor, dignity, or solemnity
c. : a vehicle adapted to the rails of a railroad or street railway and used for carrying passengers and mail, baggage, freight, or other things — in British usage usually applied only to city tramways not railroads; compare carriage , coach , truck , van , wagon
d. : automobile ; especially : a private passenger automobile as distinguished from a bus or truck
2. : the cage of an elevator
3. : the portion of an airship or balloon that is intended to carry the power plant, personnel, cargo, or equipment
4.
[by folk etymology from corf ]
: a large live-box for keeping fish or lobsters alive
II. ˈkȧr adjective
Etymology: Scottish Gaelic cearr
1. chiefly Scotland : left-handed
2. chiefly Scotland
a. : awkward
b. : wrong , sinister , perverse
III. abbreviation
1. carat
2. cargo