Main Entry:

²car·at

Pronunciation:

\ˈker-ət, ˈka-rət\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English carrat measure of fineness in gold, from Middle French carat measure of fineness in gold or of weight in gems, from Italian carato, from Arabic qīrāṭ bean pod, a small weight, from Greek keration carob bean, a small weight, from diminutive of kerat-, keras horn — more at horn

Date:

1555

: a unit of weight for precious stones equal to 200 milligrams