Carapato
(||Ca`ra*pa"to) n. [Pg. carrapato.] (Zoöl.) A south American tick of the genus Amblyomma.
There are several species, very troublesome to man and beast.
Carapax
(Car"a*pax) n. (Zoöl.) See Carapace.
Carat
(Car"at) n. [F. carat (cf. It. carato, OPg. quirate, Pg. & Sp. quilate), Ar. qirat bean or pea
shell, a weight of four grains, a carat, fr. Gr. kera`tion a little horn, the fruit of the carob tree, a weight,
a carat. See Horn.]
1. The weight by which precious stones and pearls are weighed.
The carat equals three and one fifth grains Troy, and is divided into four grains, sometimes called carat
grains. Diamonds and other precious stones are estimated by carats and fractions of carats, and pearls,
usually, by carat grains. Tiffany.
2. A twenty-fourth part; — a term used in estimating the proportionate fineness of gold.
A mass of metal is said to be so many carats fine, according to the number of twenty-fourths of pure
gold which it contains; as, 22 carats fine (goldsmith's standard) = 22 parts of gold, 1 of copper, and 1 of
silver.
Caravan
(Car"a*van) (kar"a*van or kar*a*van"; 277), n. [F. caravane fr. Per. karwan a caravan Cf.
Van a wagon.]
1. A company of travelers, pilgrims, or merchants, organized and equipped for a long journey, or marching
or traveling together, esp. through deserts and countries infested by robbers or hostile tribes, as in Asia
or Africa.
2. A large, covered wagon, or a train of such wagons, for conveying wild beasts, etc., for exhibition; an
itinerant show, as of wild beasts.
3. A covered vehicle for carrying passengers or for moving furniture, etc.; — sometimes shorted into
van.
Caravaneer
(Car`a*van*eer") n. [Cf. F. caravanier.] The leader or driver of the camels in caravan.
Caravansary
(Car`a*van"sa*ry) n.; pl. Caravansaries [F. caravansérai, fr. Per. karwansaraï; karwan
caravan + -saraï palace, large house, inn.] A kind of inn, in the East, where caravans rest at night, being
a large, rude, unfurnished building, surrounding a court. [Written also caravanserai and caravansera.]
Caravel
(Car"a*vel) n. [F. caravelle (cf. It. caravella, Sp. carabela), fr. Sp. caraba a kind of vessel,
fr. L. carabus a kind of light boat, fr. Gr. ka`rabos a kind of light ship, NGr. kara`bi ship, vessel.] [written
also carvel and caravelle.] (Naut.) A name given to several kinds of vessels. (a) The caravel of
the 16th century was a small vessel with broad bows, high, narrow poop, four masts, and lateen sails.
Columbus commanded three caravels on his great voyage. (b) A Portuguese vessel of 100 or 150
tons burden. (c) A small fishing boat used on the French coast. (d) A Turkish man-of- war.
Caraway
(Car"a*way) n. [F. carvi (cf. Sp. carvi and al-caravea, al-carahueya, Pg. al-caravia) fr. Ar.
karawia, karwia fr. Gr. ka`ron; cf. L. careum.]
1. (Bot.) A biennial plant of the Parsley family The seeds have an aromatic smell, and a warm, pungent
taste. They are used in cookery and confectionery, and also in medicine as a carminative.
2. A cake or sweetmeat containing caraway seeds.
Caraways, or biscuits, or some other [comfits].
Cogan.
