Middle English Dictionary Entry
carā̆t n.
Entry Info
| Forms | carā̆t n. Also carette, carrat, crate. |
| Etymology | OF; ult. Gr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A measure of the fineness of gold, a carat.
Associated quotations
- (1469) Indent.Edw.IV in Archaeol.15167 : And every lb. weght of the Toure of the seid monyes..shalbe of xxiii carattis, iii greynes of fyne.
- (1469) Indent.Edw.IV in Archaeol.15173 : That ii gode stones and good nedeles for to touche be alwey ther redie..to make assaie of gold of the caratte bytwene the marchaunts and the seid maister.
- (1477) RParl.6.185b : That no Goldsmyth..put to sale any maner of base Gold under the fynesse of xviii Carettes, otherwyse called Crates, nor no Sylver but it be as fyne as the sterlyng.
- (1478) Indent.in Archaeol.16169 : Robert Hill..and Miles Ades, were sworen..to make this standard of xxiiij carrats, iij greynes and an halfe of perfite fyne gold, and half a greyne of allay, accordyng to the old standard.