carpet

[ kahr-pit ]

noun

1. a heavy fabric, commonly of wool or nylon, for covering floors.
2. a covering of this material.
3. any relatively soft surface or covering like a carpet:

   They walked on the carpet of grass.

4. any of a number of airborne electronic devices for jamming radar.
5. a system of such devices.

verb (used with object)

1. to cover or furnish with or as with a carpet.
2. Chiefly British. to reprimand.

carpet

/ ˈkɑːpɪt /

noun

1. 1. a heavy fabric for covering floors
   2. ( as modifier )

      a carpet sale

2. a covering like a carpet

   a carpet of leaves

3. on the carpet informal.
   1. before authority to be reproved for misconduct or error
   2. under consideration

verb

1. to cover with or as if with a carpet
2. informal.
   to reprimand

Other Words From

• carpet·less adjective
• carpet·like adjective
• re·carpet verb (used with object)
• un·carpet·ed adjective
• well-carpet·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of carpet¹

1300–50; Middle English carpete cloth covering for a table, floor, bed, etc. < Middle French carpite or Medieval Latin carpīta < Italian carpita woolen bedspread < Vulgar Latin *carpīta, past participle of carpīre, for Latin carpere to pluck, card (wool)

Word History and Origins

Origin of carpet¹

C14: from Old French carpite, from Old Italian carpita, from Late Latin carpeta, literally: (wool) that has been carded, from Latin carpere to pluck, card

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the carpet,
   1. before an authority or superior for an accounting of one's actions or a reprimand:

      He was called on the carpet again for his carelessness.

   2. Chiefly British. under consideration or discussion.

More idioms and phrases containing carpet

see call on the carpet ; red carpet . Also see under rug .

Example Sentences

That Kim Jong-un is behind it all—the hack, the theft, the sad red carpet.

From The Daily Beast

The carpet is stained from the door to the window with red wine.

From The Daily Beast

His father, Hassan, is a carpet merchant with close relations to senior members of the conservative Islamic Coalition Party.

From The Daily Beast

Glee actress Lea Michele was seemingly dissed by Jessica Lange on the red carpet.

From The Daily Beast

The full footage of her on the red carpet yes, shows her posing, but posing to order.

From The Daily Beast

I've seen more cloes on folks' backs hyar, thet wan't no more'n fit for carpet-rags, than any place ever I struck.

From Project Gutenberg

It was in full sight from the door of the little shanty in which Aunt Ri's carpet-loom stood.

From Project Gutenberg

Your hangings must be of chintz, of pretty chintz, and you will put a cheerful carpet on the floor.

From Project Gutenberg

The portmanteau was the sign of youth and progress; old-fashioned people stuck to the carpet bag.

From Project Gutenberg

When the carpet was done, Aunt Ri took the roll in her own independent arms, and strode with it to the Agent's house.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• carpeting
• rug
• tapestry