Main Entry: ¹car·ry

Pronunciation: \ˈka-rē, ˈker-ē\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): car·ried; car·ry·ing

Etymology: Middle English carien, from Anglo-French carier to transport, from carre vehicle, from Latin carrus — more at car

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 : to move while supporting : transport <her legs refused to carry her further — Ellen Glasgow>
2 : to convey by direct communication <carry tales about a friend>
3 chiefly dialect : conduct, escort
4 : to influence by mental or emotional appeal : sway
5 : to get possession or control of : capture <carried off the prize>
6 : to transfer from one place (as a column) to another <carry a number in adding>
7 : to contain and direct the course of <the drain carries sewage>
8 a : to wear or have on one's person b : to bear upon or within one <is carrying an unborn child>
9 a : to have or bear especially as a mark, attribute, or property <carry a scar> b : imply, involve <the crime carried a heavy penalty>
10 : to hold or comport (as one's person) in a specified manner
11 : to sustain the weight or burden of <pillars carry an arch> <is carrying a full course load>
12 : to bear as a crop
13 : to sing with reasonable correctness of pitch <carry a tune>
14 a : to keep in stock for sale b : to provide sustenance for <land carrying 10 head of cattle> c : to have or maintain on a list or record <carry a person on a payroll> <carried six guards on the team>
15 : to be chiefly or solely responsible for the success, effectiveness, or continuation of <a player capable of carrying a team> <her performance carried the play>
16 : to prolong or maintain in space, time, or degree <carry a principle too far> <carry the wall above the eaves> <carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning>
17 a : to gain victory for; especially : to secure the adoption or passage of b : to win a majority or plurality of votes in (as a legislative body or a state)
18 : to present for public use or consumption <newspapers carry weather reports> <channel nine will carry the game>
19 a : to bear the charges of holding or having (as stocks or merchandise) from one time to another b : to keep on one's books as a debtor <a merchant carries a customer>
20 : to hold to and follow after (as a scent)
21 : to hoist and maintain (a sail) in use
22 : to pass over (as a hazard) at a single stroke in golf <carry a bunker>
23 : to propel and control (a puck or ball) along a playing surfaceintransitive verb 1 : to act as a bearer
2 a : to reach or penetrate to a distance <voices carry well> <fly balls don't carry well in cold air> b : to convey itself to a reader or audience
3 : to undergo or admit of carriage in a specified way
4 of a hunting dog : to keep and follow the scent
5 : to win adoption <the motion carried by a vote of 71–25>

— carry a torch or carry the torch 1 : crusade
2 : to be in love especially without reciprocation : cherish a longing or devotion <still carrying a torch for a former lover>

— carry the ball : to perform or assume the chief role : bear the major portion of work or responsibility

— carry the day : win, prevail