carl

or carle

[ kahrl ]

/ kɑrl /

noun

Scot.

a strong, robust fellow, especially a strong manual laborer.
a miser; an extremely thrifty person.

Archaic. a churl.

Obsolete. a bondman.

Origin of carl

before 1000 (in compounds; see housecarl); Middle English; Old English -carl < Old Norse karl man; cognate with Old High German karl; akin to churl

Related formscarl·ish, adjectivecarl·ish·ness, noun

Carl

[ kahrl ]

/ kɑrl /

noun

a male given name, form of Charles.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for carl

Cuomo ran for governor in 2002, but pulled out before he was to be soundly defeated in the Democratic primary by Carl McCall.
Andrew Cuomo Ignores Rural New York|David Fontana|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But poor Carl is still trudging along as if his assault never happened.
The Walking Dead’s ‘Slabtown’: The Real Source of Terror Isn’t Walkers, It’s Rape|Melissa Leon|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The only difference was the writing staff was Neil Simon, Mel Brooks, and Carl Reiner, and they started writing on Monday.
Harry Shearer on Being Nixon, ‘The Simpsons Movie’ Sequel, and Why Obama Should Return His Nobel|Marlow Stern|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Allegations of sexual misconduct have dogged Carl DeMaio since he entered politics.
No Shaking Sexual Harassment Allegations for Gay GOP House Hopeful|Olivia Nuzzi|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

His father, Carl Reiner, had given him the book to read, and he adored it so he had a real respect for the material.
Cary Elwes, aka Westley, Shares Inconceivable Tales From the Making of ‘The Princess Bride’|Marlow Stern|September 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Carl had to go to the very top of the pole, and then had some difficulty in tearing her from her hold.
O Pioneers!|Willa Cather
Just then Carl caught an expressive look shot at him by Dick.
Motor Matt's Hard Luck|Stanley R. Matthews
The dog was nuzzling Carl's hand, and Carl had almost forgotten his fear that the devil might appear.
The Trail of the Hawk|Sinclair Lewis
She was greatly impressed by Carl's urban appearance, and in her excitement talked very loud and threw her head about.
O Pioneers!|Willa Cather
In Carl's village it is the custom to wash only twice a year.
Our Little Swiss Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade

British Dictionary definitions for carl

carl

carle

/ (kɑːl) /

noun

archaic another word for churl

Word Origin for carl

Old English, from Old Norse karl

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for carl

carl

c.1300, "bondsman; common man, man of low birth," from Old Norse karl "man, male, freeman," from Proto-Germanic *karlon-, the same root that produced Old English ceorl "man of low degree" (see churl).

The Mellere was a stout carle for the nones [Chaucer]

Carl

masc. proper name, from Middle High German Karl "man, husband" (see carl).

carl

or carle

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of carl

Carl

noun

Examples from the Web for carl

carl

carle

noun

Word Origin for carl

carl

Carl